One militant killed in armed clash at police HQ in Turkey’s Gaziantep

GAZİANTEP

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One militant was killed and one police officer was wounded on Jan. 10 in an armed clash that erupted at the police headquarters in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, private broadcaster CNN Türk has reported.

Consecutive gunfire was heard after an unidentified militant attempted to enter the police headquarters at around 3.30 p.m., as a police officer prevented the militant from entering the building and responded with fire.

Special forces and counter-terrorism police units were immediately deployed to the scene.

A number of ambulances were also dispatched following the gunfire.

The militant was killed in the armed clash while one police officer was wounded, according to initial reports.

Witnesses said another militant escaped the scene following the clash. Police works to apprehend him are reportedly ongoing.

According to a Doğan News Agency correspondent near the scene, the armed clash lasted around two minutes and one militant was killed at the scene.

In addition, police also conducted searches inside nearby buildings and car parks upon receiving intelligence of another militant, the reporter stated.

Security measures had been stepped up at the entrance of the police HQ after it witnessed a deadly car bomb attack last year.

Two police officers were killed and 22, including 18 police officers, were wounded on May 1, 2016 when a car bomb attack hit the building.