DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) – The PKK terrorist group is behind the deadly explosion that claimed four lives and injured over 20 people in southeastern Diyarbakir province Thursday night, according to the provincial governor.
In a written statement issued Friday, the governor’s office said a bomb-laden truck was detonated by PKK terrorists at 10.30 p.m. local time [1930GMT] Thursday, reportedly following an argument with a group of villagers who spotted the truck and began to chase it.
“It is believed that the truck was detonated by terrorists in rural Durumlu area [in the central Sur district’s Sarikamis neighborhood] following the chase,” the statement said.
“According to the findings of the initial crime scene investigation, the bomb-laden truck belongs to a road construction company in [neighboring] Bingol province, and was stolen May 9,” it said, adding that an investigation has been launched to find the people reportedly missing after the incident.
The Turkish military also said that the PKK was behind the incident.
In a statement issued on its official website, the Turkish General Staff said the terrorists had been preparing to hit their target in Diyarbakir’s Sur district, but locals thwarted their plan when they spotted their bomb-laden truck and protested against it.
The explosion also caused a 20-meter wide and 4-meter deep crater, and damaged a number of vehicles and buildings nearby.
Thursday night’s incident came two days after three people were killed and 45 others, including 12 police officers, were injured when a bomb-laden vehicle blew up near a police bus in Diyarbakir’s central Baglar district.
Turkey’s southeast has been the scene of significant military operations since late 2015, as Turkish police and army seek to clear PKK terrorists from urban areas.
