Turkey: At least 20 terrorists ‘neutralized’ in a week

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA

At least 20 terrorists were “neutralized” across Turkey over the past week, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Monday.

The statement said five of the terrorists were killed, seven of them were captured alive and eight of them surrendered during the operations carried out from Oct. 22 to 29.

It said 757 terror suspects were also arrested that included 186 linked to PKK/KCK, 478 Fetullah Terrorist 67 Daesh and 26 to far-left groups.

The statement said 16 heavy weapons (two M-16, three rocket launchers, 11 rifles), 25 hand grenades, 54 kilograms of explosive material and 783 ammunitions were also seized.

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, including women and children.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the July 15, defeated coup in Turkey which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

More than 300 people lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in bomb, rocket, and gun attacks in recent years.

Over the past week, 6,749 irregular migrants were also held by security forces, the statement said.

It added that 420 kilograms (926 pounds) each of heroin and marijuana, and 272 kilograms (600 pounds) of synthetic cannabinoids were seized in the same period.