Police operation targets suspected terrorist bases in Istanbul
10:07, 21/10/2015, WednesdayU: Update: 10:17, 21/10/2015, Wednesday
Yeni Şafak
Police conducted anti-terror raids in the luxury apartment complex in Istanbul’s Başakşehir district
Police and special operations forces raided four addresses, suspected of links to terrorism in an apartment complex in Istanbul's Başakşehir district early Wednesday.
According to police, the locations are connected to unspecified terrorist organisations. It is unclear how many arrests were made.
It is suggested that police acted on intelligence indicating the possibility of a terrorist attack in Istanbul in the run-up to Turkey's early elections in November.
Police searched the premises as well as other locations indicated by suspects apprehended in the raid.
The operation takes place approximately 10 days before the snap elections to be held November 1. Security measures have been increased in the metropolitan city in the aftermath of twin suicide bombings which took place in Ankara near the central train station earlier in October. The bombings killed over 100 people and wounded about 200 others, the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the Turkish Republic.
Police said suspects were detained for interrogation, but declined to give further details.