Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 10 PKK militants in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq
VAN
According to the statement, the militants were detected and “neutralized” in an air-backed anti-terrorism operation carried out by the Gendarme Command at a village in the Gürpınar district on Aug. 23.
The authorities use the word “neutralized” to refer to militants who are killed, wounded or captured.
One machine gun, an M-16 infantry rifle, a sniper rifle, a Kalashnikov and numerous hand grenades were also seized during the operation, the statement added.
“Over the last week, in Van province, as a result of our provincial gendarmerie command’s operations, a total of 12 terrorists have been neutralized. To ensure our citizens’ peace and security, our operations will continue without slowing down,” it said.
Additionally, the Turkish Air Force carried out a counterterrorism operation in northern Iraq late on Aug. 23, neutralizing seven other PKK militants, the military announced.
Turkish fighter jets targeted the PKK militants during an air-supported counter-terrorism operation in the Hakurk region, the General Staff said in a statement.
The airstrike also destroyed an anti-aircraft weapons pit along with an ammunition depot.