4 PKK terrorists neutralized in eastern Turkey

By Tuncay Bekar and Orhan Onur Gemici

ANKARA/ERZURUM, Turkey (AA) - At least four terrorists were neutralized as part of counter-terror operations held in the eastern Turkish province of Erzurum, an interior ministry statement 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 operation was launched in the Geventepe neighborhood of the Karayazi district, the statement added.

According to a statement by the Erzurum Governor's Office, one of the neutralized terrorists was PKK's so-called head of Karayazi-Eleskirt region Tarik Sen, who was using the code name 'Adil'.

Weapons and ammunitions were also seized during the operation.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.