A total of 17 PKK terrorists were killed in counterterror operations conducted over the past 24 hours, the Interior Ministry said Saturday.

Operations in southeastern Mardin's Kızıltepe district killed 6 PKK terrorists, while another 6 were targeted in eastern Elazığ province, the statement elaborated.

Three PKK terrorists were killed in another operation launched by security forces in eastern Van province, while another was targeted after being identified during patrols in southeastern Batman.

During a counterterror operation in southeastern Hakkari's Şemdinli district another PKK terrorist was killed, while numerous weapons and ammunition used by the terrorist organization were seized from a cave in Batman's Hasankeyf district.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decades-long bloody campaign against Turkey.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.

Since that time, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children, while more than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured.