High-ranking PKK member captured: deputy prime minister

BURSA - Doğan News Agency (DHA)

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. AA photo

A high-ranking member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been captured in Istanbul, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said in a televised interview yesterday. 

"I will not give a name, but a high-ranking PKK member was captured in Istanbul," Arınç said while explaining the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) actions in its fight against the militant group.

Arınç did not give any information as to when the PKK member was captured.

The interview was broadcast by "Bursa TV" station in the northwestern province of Bursa. 

"All operations conducted by security forces in the last three months have resulted in success," Arınç said. 

"The Amanos mountains [a mountain range on Turkey's southern border with Syria] have been cleared of terrorist entities. Other operations in urban areas in the southeastern provinces of Bitlis, Hakkari and Şırnak are continuing with success."

"We will not hear of another terrorist attack in the Amanos mountains," Arınç said.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.