Turkey 'neutralizes' 46 PKK terrorists over past week

Turkish security forces "neutralized" 46 PKK terrorists as part of anti-terror operations over the past week, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

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

In a statement, the ministry said the 46 terrorists were neutralized in nationwide operations from Aug. 27 to Sep. 3.

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 some 40,000 people.

The ministry said that 25, including four so-called senior members, of the terrorists were killed, while 12 surrendered, and eight others surrendered to authorities.

Two of the killed terrorists were identified as Deniz Yüksel, codenamed "Haki", and Cihan Gerçek, codenamed "Baran Dersim". Both had been on Turkey's most wanted terrorist list.

Among the eight terrorists that were captured alive, Merdan Rüştü Ovalıoğlu, codenamed "Leheng Dersim", or "Adil", and Abdulhamit Özbahçeci, a so-called senior figure codenamed "Mazlum Pling" were on the ministry's wanted list.

The security forces carried out a total of 2,290 ground and air operations.

During the operations, security forces also arrested 286 suspects for crimes linked to terrorism, and 101 others for human trafficking, while 3,273 people were held for crimes linked to drugs and smuggling.

The security forces also destroyed 13 shelters and caves and five improvised explosives.

In addition, the security forces seized 11 hand grenades, 12 assorted weapons, and 1,100 rounds of ammunition.