18 terrorists neutralised in Turkey, Iraq

A total of 18 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PYD/PKK) terrorists have been neutralised in Turkey's southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir in Mardin and northern Iraq this week, Anadolu Agency quoted a Turkish General Staff as saying.

One of the neutralised terrorists was from the senior cadre of the PKK.

Here, 'Neutralised' implies the terrorists either surrendered or were killed or captured.

According to a statement from the Turkish military, the operations against the terrorists continued from March 2 till March 9.

During the operation, one soldier lost his life while two were wounded.

Meanwhile, 7,858 people attempting to illegally cross Turkish borders were also detained during this period.

The Turkish military is also involved in an operation called 'Olive Branch', which was launched on January 20 to clear PKK and IS terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

Under operation 'Olive Branch' 3,213 terrorists have been neutralised till now.

As per the military statement, 42 soldiers were killed and 202 were wounded, out of which 117 soldiers returned to their duties after medical treatment.

The PKK, which is based in Turkey, Iraq and parts of Syria, has been involved in an armed conflict with Turkey for the past 30 years. Its aim is to achieve the objective of creating an independent Kurdish state.