DUSHANBE, October 12, 2015, Asia-Plus —
The Guardian
reports that at least 95 people have been killed and around 250 wounded in the deadliest terror attack in Turkey’s history after two explosions targeted a peace rally in the centre of the capital.
Meanwhile
BBC
says a pro-Kurdish party involved in the rally where the bombs went off believes the true death toll is 128.
Twin explosions outside Ankara’s main train station on Saturday morning targeted hundreds of people who had gathered to protest against violence between authorities and the Kurdish militant group, the PKK.
Turkish government officials said the explosions were a terrorist attack carried out by suicide bombers but no group immediately claimed responsibility.
According to
BBC
, in an expected announcement, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, calling on its fighters to halt its guerrilla activities in Turkey except in cases of self-defense.
However, on Sunday the Turkish military said it had carried out air strikes against the group, attacking targets in south-eastern Turkey as well as PKK positions in northern Iraq, and killing 49 people, BBC reports.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there was evidence two suicide bombers had been involved. He suggested either IS or the PKK could be behind the attacks but two senior Turkish security officials who spoke to Reuters news agency said the initial signs were that IS was to blame.
BBC
reports that terrorism experts have said the attack is similar to one that was carried out in Suric in southern Turkey by IS in July in which 30 people died.
The Suric attack led to the collapse of an earlier ceasefire between the PKK and the government, with the PKK accusing the security forces of collaborating with IS.
Turkey is mourning the deaths of at least 95 people.
