Turkey: 15 detained in connection with Bursa blast

By Zafer Akpinar, Cem San and Busra Nur Ozcan

BURSA, Turkey

A total of 15 suspects were detained as part of a nationwide police operation after a deadly blast in Turkey's northwest, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said.

The detentions came a day after a suicide attack at the entrance of a historic bazaar in Bursa in northwestern Turkey that killed one person.

"There are strong signs of an organization. [...] There are findings. When the organization is finalized, I will explain, 15 people are under detention. I cannot say the provinces at the moment," Efkan Ala told reporters in Ankara ahead of a meeting.

Earlier, local police sources said 12 suspects were apprehended in operations in Bursa, Istanbul, and in western Afyonkarahisar and southeastern Sanliurfa provinces.

"We found out some certain information about the assailant and the terrorist organization she was linked to, however, we cannot reveal the findings before all procedures have been completed," said Ala on Thursday after visiting those injured by the blast at a Bursa hospital.

Ala went on to say that 15 suspects linked to the Bursa blast had been detained from five different provinces so far.

- Pakistan condemns attack

Pakistan also condemned the suicide attack. According to a statement issued by the Pakistani embassy in Ankara, Pakistan hoped the injured would make a quick recovery.

"Pakistan strongly condemns this terrorist attack, and Pakistan also condemns every act of terrorism," it said.

Pakistan also expressed solidarity with the Turkish government and nation. "We want to stress again that brother Turkish nation's characteristic determination will defeat terrorism," it added.

The suicide blast injured 20 people at the entrance of a historic bazaar in Bursa, Turkey’s fourth-largest city, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bursa Governor's Office said on Wednesday that a female suicide bomber was involved in the attack.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondents Emin Avundukluoglu, Servet Gunerigok and Sibel Ugurlu contributed to this report from Ankara.