By Gizem Nisa Cebi
ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish security forces "neutralized" two PKK terrorists listed in the "orange category" in a counter-terrorism operation, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday.
The terrorists, Ilhan Tekinalp, codenamed Ferhat Serhildan, and Recep Kipcak, known as Devrim Cudi, were "neutralized" in the "GURZ-24" operation conducted by the Turkish Gendarmerie in the rural Pervari area of Siirt in southeastern Türkiye, Yerlikaya said on X.
Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
The operation came after Wednesday’s PKK terror attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) headquarters in the capital Ankara killed five people and injured 22 others.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants, and the elderly.
Both the terrorists were suspected regional leaders of the Kato Jirka area, the minister added.
The operation, coordinated by the Gendarmerie General Command’s Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Departments, was based on intelligence from the Mardin Provincial Gendarmerie Command.
Utilizing J-SIHA drones, Jandarma ATAK helicopters and armored vehicles, the Siirt Provincial Gendarmerie Command deployed special operations teams, Gendarmerie Commando Units, and security guards.
Authorities reported that the terrorists "operated in the so-called Botan region," using threats and blackmail to obtain supplies from locals and planning attacks on security forces, according to the minister.
They had allegedly instructed others to carry out attacks on citizens working in highland pastures and were involved in the murder of a civilian on Sept. 13, 2023, in the highlands between Sirnak Beytussebap and Van-Catak.
Minister Yerlikaya reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to its counter-terrorism efforts, pledging: "We will not stop until the last terrorist is neutralized."