Turkish security forces seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition belonging to the PKK terror group during anti-terror operations in northern Iraq, the country's Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The terrorist group's shelters and caves were detected in the Hakurk region, the ministry said in a statement.

Four submachine guns, a sniper rifle, one 82-millimeter caliber mortar, seven 120-millimeter caliber mortars, 28 RPG-7 anti-tank rockets, nine RPG-9 rockets, one improvised explosive device (IED), hand grenades and a lot of ammunition, supplies and documents were seized in the operation.

All material found was destroyed, the ministry added.

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

In its more than 40-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.