Wanted PKK terrorist among 'neutralized' in Turkey

Among terrorists "neutralized" last month in eastern Turkey was a wanted PKK member, Turkish authorities said on Monday.

The terrorist Seyithan Açay -- codenamed Brusk Israel -- was "neutralized" in the eastern Şırnak province on July 30 along with three others.

Açay, who joined the PKK in 2006 and stayed in Israel for five years, was on the gray category of the Interior Ministry's wanted terrorists list with up to a 500,000 Turkish liras (roughly $ 71,600) bounty on his head.

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

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

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.