Contact Us

Turkish security forces neutralize dozens of PKK terrorists in a week

Turkish security forces neutralized 64 PKK terrorist in counter-terror operation across Turkey in a week, according to Interior Ministry data released on Monday,

Anadolu Agency WORLD
Published October 23,2017
Subscribe

Dozens of terrorists were neutralized in a series of counter-terrorism operations across Turkey over the last one week.

According to Interior Ministry data released on Monday, security forces launched 1,455 operations against terrorist organizations between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, neutralizing 64 PKK terrorists.

As part of the operations, 45 PKK terrorists were killed, eight of them were captured and 11 others surrendered to security forces.

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.

Security forces also detained 131 people accused of aiding and abetting PKK, 69 others for allegedly having links with Daesh, 643 for suspected ties with FETO/PYD and 16 for alleged ties to leftist terror groups.

Turkey accuses FETO of orchestrating the coup attempt of July 2016, which resulted in 249 deaths and thousands of injuries, as well as the bombing of vital government buildings, including parliament.

Moreover, 15 shelters and caves used by PKK terrorists, and 36 hand-made explosives were destroyed in eastern provinces of Siirt, Diyarbakir, Van, Erzincan, Hakkari, Adiyaman and central province of Tokat.

A total of 266 kilograms (586 pounds) explosives making material, 18 hand grenades, 34 firearms and over 2,000 rounds of various ammunition were also seized.

Security forces also conducted more than 3,000 anti-drug operations in 77 provinces in an effort to curtail terrorist financing.

During the operations, officers seized various amounts of narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, bonsai (synthetic drug) and cannabis plants.

In 56 provinces, 517 suspected drug sellers were arrested, according to the ministry's data.

Meanwhile, 5,919 migrants were detained over the past week, including 771 at sea. Police arrested 145 people on suspicion of organizing human trafficking.