Two members of the outlawed PKK terrorist group were killed by Turkish security forces in an anti-terror operation in eastern Turkey's Bitlis yesterday.

Among the dead was Ali Ulaş, also known as Kia Koçer, who was in the "green category" on Turkey's most wanted terrorists list. According to reports, he was the PKK head in Hizan district.

Turkish security forces said a clash between the gendarmerie forces and PKK broke out in the region at 7.30 a.m. yesterday.

In the operation, two terrorists were killed while one BIXI machine gun and four AK-47 Kalashnikov rifles were recovered.

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

Since then, 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 in attacks it carried out across Turkey.

More than 40,000 people have lost their lives during its 30-year-long campaign against the Turkish state.