Arrested PKK suspects 'planning attack' in south Turkey

By Eren Bozkurt

ADANA, Turkey (AA) - Two suspected senior PKK terrorists have been arrested in southern Turkey, police said Thursday.

One of the suspects, identified by the initials S.D., is the head of PKK operations in the southern Mediterranean region, a police official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The suspect’s fingerprints were found on bomb-making materials in Istanbul, the official added.

Y.B., said to be PKK leader in southern port city of Mersin and S.D. had been planning a bomb attack in the province.

The official did not say when or where the pair were arrested or give any further details of their capture or the planned attack.

However, the official said S.D. arrived in Adana province on Monday and met Y.B.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.