ANKARA

At least two terrorists were neutralized in a counter-terrorism operation in southeastern Turkey, the country's Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday. 

In a written statement, the ministry said the air-backed operation was carried out in a rural area of Hakkari province, with neutralizing two armed terrorists.

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

Counter-terrorism operations in this region generally target PKK terrorists.

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 women, children and infants.