Turkey: 3 tons of manure used for explosives seized

VAN, Turkey

Turkish security forces in an operation against the PKK/KCK terrorist organization in eastern Van province seized 3 tons of manure used for making explosives, the governor's office announced Thursday in a written statement.

The provincial gendarmerie command continues efforts to unveil activities of the terrorist organization in the region, said the statement.

The operation was conducted based on a tip about a large amount of artificial fertilizer buried in the ground in the rural area of Baskale district to be used in the preparation of handmade explosives in attacks against the military facilities, public institutions and organizations, as well as military personnel and civilians.

"As a result of the operation carried out on June 25 to detect and destroy the manure in the area, 3 tons of sulfur composite type artificial fertilizer was seized as buried in the ground."

Through the search for the detection of suspects, the locations of manure production and distribution, as well as the final sales point were found, and a judicial investigation was launched, it said.

The efforts to ensure the peace and security of people continue with determination, the statement added.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara