Turkish airstrikes kill 7 PKK terrorists

By Fatih Cakmak

ANKARA

At least eight PKK terrorists were killed during counter-terrorism operations in Turkey’s eastern province in the last two days, officials said on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by Turkish General Staff, the airstrikes were carried out by the Turkish Air Force in Tunceli province late Wednesday.

The operation started at 9.30 p.m. local time (1930GMT) in Tunceli province, after receiving intelligence on the presence of shelters and weaponry, the statement said.

During the operation, seven PKK terrorists preparing for a terrorist act were killed.

Shelters and weapons were also destroyed in the airstrikes, it added.

Meanwhile, local governorate said in a statement that another operation was launched Thursday at 11.00 a.m local time (0800GMT) in Alibogazi village of Tunceli province.

The statement said that nine PKK terrorists were "neutralized" during ground operations -- one of them was killed, one was injured, while seven others surrendered to security forces.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.

Reporting by Fatih Cakmak; Writing by Meryem Goktas