Terror Attack In Turkey: A deadly 'terrorist' attack on Wednesday targeted a Turkish aerospace company in the capital Ankara. The attack took place on the premises of the Turkish aerospace and defence company TUSAS. As many as three people lost their lives and 14 others have been injured. Besides them, the two terrorists who were involved in the attack were neutralised. There has been no immediate claim for the attack as of now.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated an investigation has been launched into the attack. The US State Department is also "tracking reports" of the terror attack, CNN reported.
The attack took place as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Russia's Kazan to attend the 16th BRICS Summit.
"Two terrorists were neutralized in the terrorist attack targeting the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have 3 martyrs and 14 injured in the attack. May God have mercy on our martyrs and I wish a speedy recovery to our wounded. I condemn this heinous attack. Our struggle will continue with determination and resolve until the last terrorist is neutralized," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
Yerlikaya had shared the news about the attack in a post on X saying, "A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAS) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities. Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people after the attack.”
Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas stated he was "saddened" by the attack on TUSAS, CNN reported.
According to Al Jazeera, the blast occurred while a major trade fair was underway for the defence and space industries in Istanbul. Media reports also say that a loud explosion was heard followed by gunfire at the TUSAS facility.
Several videos on social media showed gunmen storming in the TUSAS Aviation Headquarters in the Turkish capital. Two attackers, a man and a woman, with backpacks and firearms can be seen near the entrance of the company. A body can also be seen lying on the pavement outside. However, ABP Live couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the videos.
TUSAS is one of the most important defence and aviation companies of Turkey and produces KAAN, its first national combat aircraft. It was incorporated into Turkey’s Ministry of Industry and Technology in 1973 to reduce the country’s "foreign dependence in defense industry," according to its website.
Turkish news network Haberturk reported that two militants had come to the state-run company's headquarters in a taxi. One of them blew himself up, while the other one fired at the security guards.
Following the attack, security forces, firefighters, and paramedics were dispatched to the area. Defense firm’s personnel were also directed to shelters for security reasons, Trukey's Anadolu Agency reported.