Terrorists ‘neutralized’ in an air-backed operation carried out in the Avashin-Basyan region, says National Defense Ministry.

Axar.az reports citing Turkish media that Turkish fighter jets “neutralized” three PKK terrorists as part of counter-terrorism operation in northern Iraq, the National Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

The terrorists, who were detected by reconnaissance and surveillance activities, were neutralized in the Avashin-Basyan region of northern Iraq, the ministry said on Twitter.

"Our anti-terror operations against the PKK terror group continues resolutely," said the ministry.

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

PKK terrorists often take shelter in northern Iraq to plan cross-border terrorist attacks in Turkey.