Turkey: Wanted terrorist among neutralized in operation

ANKARA

Among five PKK terrorists neutralized in southeastern Turkey this week was one wanted by Turkish security forces, the country’s Interior Ministry said Friday.

Abdurrahman Siler, codenamed Hebat, on the Interior Ministry’s wanted terrorist list, was neutralized on Thursday by gendarmerie and police forces in the southeastern Mardin province, said the ministry.

Siler had been sought with a bounty of 300,000 Turkish liras ($54,500) on his head.

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 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 nearly 40,000 people, including many women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar