SIIRT, Turkey 

Turkish security forces "neutralized" three PKK terrorists in the southeastern Siirt province, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

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

A counter-terrorism operation was launched by gendarmerie forces in the rural area of the Eruh district, the ministry said in a statement.

Later, the ministry said a village guard succumbed to his wounds sustained during the operation against the PKK terrorists in Eruh, which also left another village guard injured.

The operations in the region are ongoing. 

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.