5 PKK terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey

ANKARA

Turkish security forces neutralized five PKK terrorists during operations in the country's southeast, the country’s Interior Ministry said early Sunday.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

The terrorists were neutralized in air-supported security operations launched by the provincial gendarmerie command and police in Semdinli in the Hakkari province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

One terrorist was also neutralized in the southeastern Siirt province, the ministry said in a separate statement.

On Saturday, the ministry said three terrorists were neutralized in the Hakkari province, and two in the Siirt province.

Anti-terror operations are continuing in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak