44 PKK militants ‘neutralized’ over past week: Interior Ministry

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

At least 44 outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants have been “neutralized” as part of anti-terror operations across Turkey over the past week, the Interior Ministry said on Aug. 6.

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

In a statement, the ministry said the Turkish Armed Forces carried out 2,451 ground and air operations from July 30 to Aug. 6.

he ministry said 25 of the militants were killed, 10 captured, and nine others surrendered to authorities.

During the operations, 152 people were detained for allegedly aiding and abetting the PKK.

Security forces also destroyed three militant shelters, including several caves, and seven improvised explosives during operations in the eastern and southeastern provinces of Erzurum, Hakkari, and Adıyaman, the statement said.

In addition, security forces seized 13 hand grenades, 23 assorted weapons, and 4,484 rounds of ammunition.