ANKARA 

Turkish jets have "neutralized" three PKK terrorists in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The terrorists were “neutralized” in Hakurk region in an air-backed operation, the ministry said on Twitter. 

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

According to the ministry, the terrorists were detected by reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the area.

The country’s anti-terror operations continues without letup, it added.

PKK terrorists often use northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.

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

*Writing by Gozde Bayar