By Tuncay Bekar

ERZURUM, Turkey

A senior PKK terrorist sought by Turkey was killed in a counter-terrorism operation, security sources said Saturday.

Yusuf Sek was identified among 15 terrorists killed during operations conducted in Agri Mountain region in eastern Turkey from April 6-16, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The operations were conducted by gendarmerie forces of Agri province.

Sek was named in the red category of the Interior Ministry's list of wanted terrorists.

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

In its more than 30-year 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 some 40,000 people, including those of women and children.