09 April 2018•Update: 09 April 2018
By Sitki Yildiz
AGRI, Turkey
The Turkish army on Sunday identified a wanted PKK terrorist who was among three terrorists neutralized in an air-backed counter-terror operation in eastern Turkey’s Agri Mountain area.
Military sources told Anadolu Agency that Osman Ozel was the terrorist organization's leader the Agri Mountain area and was on Turkey's wanted list.
The list is maintained by the Ministry of Interior and has color codes indicating terrorists' wanted level.
Ozel was on the blue list -- the second-tier wanted list. The top-tier wanted list's color is red.
During the operation, Turkish security forces seized two infantry rifles, 210 bullets, 10 magazines, six hand grenades, one thermal weapon scope and two walkie-talkies.
The air operation took place Friday, according to the regional governor’s office.
The military generally uses the term "neutralize" to signify that the targets have been killed.
The terrorists were reportedly planning an attack on border units and residents.
They were also involved in martyring a Turkish soldier on March 12, the statement said.
The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.
More than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children, have been killed since July 2015 alone when the group resumed its armed campaign against the country.
