Wanted PKK terrorist neutralized in N. Iraq

By Muhammed Boztepe

ANKARA (AA) - A wanted PKK terrorist code-named Havar Bedran was neutralized in Hakurk, northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

In a written statement, the ministry said the terrorist was identified as Serkan Tuncer and was one of the 12 neutralized terrorists in the operation on Saturday.

The terrorist was in the grey category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, the statement said.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and grey.

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

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the U.S. and the EU. In its terror campaign against Turkey for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.