More than 40 militants 'neutralized' in Operation Claw

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

A total of 43 PKK militants were neutralized in 'Operation Claw' since May 27, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on June 8 on Twitter.

A total of 74 shelters and 53 mines used by PKK militants in the Hakurk region were also destroyed, according to the ministry.

The Turkish Armed Forces launched Operation Claw against the PKK terror group on May 27.

Authorities often use the word “neutralized" in statements to imply militants in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Meanwhile, Turkish security forces also “neutralized” two PKK militants in a counterterrorism operation in the country’s southeast, Turkish National Defense Ministry said in a written statement on June 8.

The air supported operation was launched in southeastern Diyarbakır province's Lice district.

Among two terrorists neutralized in Diyarbakır, one was Osman Gülen on the gray category of wanted list of Turkish Interior Ministry.

Gülen- codenamed "Civan kod"- was sought with a 300,000 Turkish lira ($51,000) bounty on his head, the Interior Ministry statement said.

Also, Turkish security forces on June 8 "neutralized" five PKK militants who were cornered in the eastern Tunceli province, the Interior Ministry said.

"As part of homeland security operations, 5 female terrorists were neutralized with their weapons in an operation launched by the Gendarmerie Special Operations Forces in a cave in the Kutu Deresi area of Tunceli," the ministry announced in a tweet.