By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA

At least six PKK terrorists were "neutralized" during a counter-terror operation in eastern Turkey, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

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

The air-backed operation was carried out in rural area of Dogubayazit district of eastern Agri province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Operations in the region are ongoing, it added.

The statement did not mention of any specific terrorist group but Turkey has long been conducting operations against the PKK terror group 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 nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.