ISTANBUL

At least 44 people were taken into custody early Friday in Istanbul for allegedly being linked to the terrorist organization PKK, Turkish police have said.

Police sources told Anadolu Agency that among the detainees were figures from the People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) Besiktas, Sisli, Eyup and Beylikduzu branch offices.

Istanbul anti-terror police raided 67 different locations simultaneously in 28 districts including Sultangazi, Bagcilar, Basaksehir and Esenyurt.

Three guns, a large amount of ammunition, organizational documents and digital materials were seized.

Turkey has been carrying out operations against the PKK at home and abroad since late July, amid a spike in attacks targeting security officers.

The renewal of fighting between the PKK and Turkish security forces marked the end of the fragile two-and-a-half year lull to fighting -- dubbed the “solution process” -- aimed at resolving the 30-year conflict.

Founded in the late 1978, PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and the U.S.