ISTANBUL 

Five PKK terrorists have been cornered in a cave by special forces in Turkey's eastern Tunceli province, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday.

"Gendarmerie special operation force cornered five terrorists in a cave in the Kutu Deresi area of Tunceli. I believe that our friends will give us some good news soon. May Allah protect them," Soylu told a meeting with mukhtars in Istanbul.

The cornered terrorists were being followed for a long time, Soylu mentioned.

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 many women and children.

* Writing by Burak Bir