Turkish forces 'neutralize' 10 PKK militants in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq

Turkish security forces have "neutralized" three militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the eastern province of Van, the Van Governor's Office said in a statement on Aug. 24.

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.