DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

Turkish police thwarted a suspected bomb plot in the country's southeastern Diyarbakir province and apprehended a terrorist, security forces said on Friday.

During a security check on the Diyarbakir-Mardin highway, a police squad signaled a vehicle to stop on Thursday. Instead of stopping the vehicle, the driver accelerated the speed in an attempt to escape, they said.

During search of the vehicle after a successful chase, police found a concealed bomb, which was later destroyed by a bomb disposal unit.

According to the security officials, a pilot car leading the suspected terrorist's vehicle was also spotted abandoned on Mevlana Halit Street, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend his accomplices .

Searches of the vehicles yielded a cache of digital materials, unlicensed weapons, two magazines, and 35 cartridges.

An investigation is underway to determine whether this terrorist plot is linked to the PKK terror group.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian offshoot.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).​​​​​​​