ADDS STATEMENT BY TURKISH GENERAL STAFF
By Fecri Barlik
SIIRT, Turkey (AA) – At least one PKK terrorist was killed and another was captured during counter-terror operations in the southeastern Siirt province on Monday, according to local officials.
The air-backed operation in the village of Payamli, Eruh remains ongoing, according to a statement by the Siirt Governor's Office.
The statement said two long-barreled weapons were seized and the operations were expanded with the participation of gendarme special forces.
The slain terrorist was identified as Muhdi Basci, code-named Adil, who was on the Interior Ministry's most-wanted list.
Separately, three PKK terrorists surrendered to security forces in the Silopi district of southeastern Sirnak on Sunday, said a statement by the Turkish General Staff.
The surrendered terrorists had reportedly escaped shelter areas in northern Iraq.
The statement also said the bodies of two PKK terrorists were recovered during ongoing operations in Iraq’s Hakurk region, while weapons were seized and five improvised explosives were destroyed.
In its 30-year-plus terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the death of nearly 40,000 people.
