Turkish security forces neutralize wanted PKK terrorist

Turkish security forces "neutralized" a wanted PKK terrorist with bounty on his head in counter-terrorism operations last week, an official statement said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Turkish Interior Ministry said 15 PKK terrorists were "neutralized" in operations in rural areas of southeastern Sirnak province from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

The ministry said Muslim Firtina, a wanted PKK terrorist, was among those neutralized in the operations.

Firtina, who had a codename Rizgar Gever, was in the green category of the wanted list and had 1 million liras ($186,014) bounty on his head.

The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and grey.

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

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.