By Sema Kaplan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

A total of 19 PKK terrorists were killed during ongoing operations against the PKK terrorist group in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir and eastern Bingol provinces, according to the figures compiled by an Anadolu Agency correspondent.

Turkish security forces launched a 7,000 troops-strong operation on March 5 in Diyarbakir's Lice and Bingol's Genc districts.

The operation aimed to destroy shelters and to gather evidence of links between the PKK terror group and the production and drug trafficking in the areas.

A total of 19 PKK terrorists were killed in the operations, eight of whom in Diyarbakir's Lice district, where a Turkish soldier was also martyred.

Security forces seized nine Kalashnikovs, 120 cartridges, three M-16s, 23 firearm magazines, seven hand-made bombs, 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate -- a component used in explosives -- six vehicles with fake license plates and 1,386 kilograms of marijuana.

Security forces also destroyed 10 shelters belonging to the terrorists.

Air-backed operations continue under difficult weather conditions in the areas.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.