UPDATE - 3 killed, 71 injured in terror attack in eastern Turkey

UPDATES CASUALTY FIGURES; ADDS STATEMENT BY AK PARTY PROVINCIAL HEAD

By Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey (AA) – Three victims were killed Tuesday in a terror attack in the eastern city of Van, authorities told Anadolu Agency.

Deputy Gov. Mehmet Parlak said the casualties occurred when PKK terrorists detonated a bomb-wired vehicle near a police station in the Ipekyolu district.

Speaking also to Anadolu Agency, ruling AK Party's provincial head Zahir Soganda said a more than 70 people were injured.

"Among the 71 injured, three of them are in a serious condition and 17 are police officers," according to Soganda, who added that a child was among the dead.

"People of Van will not be discouraged by this incident," Soganda said. "These are the last stands by the terror organization. They are trying to break the resistance of the people of Van, which they will never achieve."

The terror suspect was caught during an air operation that was launched after the attack, according to authorities.

Authorities said the suspect could not get close to the police station because of barricades and exploded the car 40 meters from the facility.

Security operations in the region continues, including treatment to the injured.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 600 security personnel have been martyred and more than 7,000 PKK terrorists have been killed.