Governor says PKK responsible for SE Turkey blast

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

The PKK terrorist group is behind the deadly explosion that claimed four lives and injured 23 people in the southeastern Diyarbakir province Thursday night, according to the provincial governor.

In a written statement issued Friday, the governor's office said a bomb-laden truck was detonated by PKK terrorists at 10.30 p.m. local time (1930GMT) Thursday, reportedly following an argument with a group of villagers who spotted the truck and began to chase it.

"It is believed that the truck was detonated by terrorists in the rural Durumlu area [in the central Sur district's Sarikamis neighborhood] following the chase," the statement said.

"According to findings of the initial crime scene investigation, the bomb-laden truck belongs to a road construction company in [neighboring] Bingol province, and was stolen May 9," it said, adding that an investigation has been launched to find the people reportedly missing after the incident.

The Turkish military also said that the PKK was behind the incident.

In a statement posted on its official website, the Turkish General Staff said the terrorists had been preparing to hit a target in Diyarbakir's Sur district, but locals thwarted their plan when they spotted their bomb-laden truck and protested against it.

One of the locals involved in the protest, who gave only his initials I.S. due to fears for his personal safety, told Anadolu Agency that residents objected to the bomb-laden truck when they saw it in their town.

"Terrorists threatened the citizens when they reacted and objected to the truck’s arrival," I.S. said.

Another civilian, M.D., who lost his nephew in the blast, said four terrorists had arrived in the town Thursday along with the truck.

"Some people asked the terrorists what the truck was carrying and then an argument broke out," M.D. said.

According to him, the terrorists then climbed a hill along with the truck and shot at civilians who tried to approach.

"The civilians left their cars after the terrorists opened fire and then they blew up the bomb," the civilian said. "It was a huge explosion."

The truck contained 15 tons of explosives, according to local security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking with the media.

The blast was so huge that it caused a 20-meter wide and 4-meter deep crater, and damaged a number of vehicles and buildings nearby.

Thursday night's incident came two days after three people were killed and 45 others, including 12 police officers, were injured when a bomb-laden vehicle blew up near a police bus in Diyarbakir's central Baglar district.

Turkey’s southeast has been the scene of significant military operations since late 2015, as Turkish police and army seek to clear PKK terrorists from urban areas.