Police seize bomb-making material in southern Turkey

By Yusuf Koyun and Ismihan Ozguven

ADANA, Turkey (AA) - Police seized hundreds of kilograms of explosive materials during an anti-PKK raid in southern Adana province Monday, according to a police official.

Police raided a villa in Cukurova district after it received intelligence that PKK/KCK-linked terrorists were planning an attack on Aug. 15.

The cache of arms and explosives comprised of 1.5 tons of ammonium nitrate, 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of nails, around 1,000 rounds of cartridges, 12 Kalashnikovs and 24 hand grenades; more than 10 police uniforms were also seized, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Adana Governor Mahmut Demirtas confirmed reports that a “substantial amount of ammunition” had been seized.

Authorities remain on the lookout for suspects linked to the incident, Demirtas added.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the 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.