ISTANBUL 

At least 11 people have been arrested across Turkey for their suspected links to the PKK terror group, police sources said on Tuesday.

In the Istanbul-based operation, counter-terrorism police arrested 11 suspects in Istanbul and northwestern Tekirdag province, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Police forces seized a rifle, 18 bullets and 2,060 pack of smuggled cigarettes during the operation.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015.

Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including a number of women and children.

Reporting by Halil Demir:Writing by Seyit Ahmet Aytac