UPDATE 3 - Terror attack in Izmir

UPDATES WITH GOVERNOR REMARKS TO PRESS

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) – Two terrorists were killed and a third is at large after a terror blast near a courthouse in the western Turkish city of Izmir, local governor said Thursday.

According to Izmir Governor Erol Ayyildiz, a police officer and an officer of the court were martyred in the terrorist attack, while it hurt at least five others including three police officers.

Responding to journalists' questions after visiting the blast scene, Ayyildiz said that the PKK terrorist organization was thought to be behind the attack according to initial findings. "The evaluation has been made based on [type of] the attack and the identification of the terrorists."

Ayyildiz said that an armed clash took place between the terrorists and the security forces when police officers wanted to stop a suspicious vehicle at the checkpoint in front of the courthouse.

"In the ensuing clash after the terrorists detonated a car-bomb as they tried to escape, unfortunately a police officer and a court staff were martyred. There are also five wounded citizens," the governor said.

Ayyildiz added that one more suspicious car believed to belong to the terrorists has been defused by police.

He added that the police have also seized two Kalashnikovs and 8 hand grenades.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. Police took security measures in the area.

Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council imposed a temporary ban on live broadcasting from the scene.