Terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara leaves 5 dead, 22 injured
Security forces, firefighters, and paramedics are dispatched to Turkish Aerospace Industries' facilities following the Ankara terrorist attack in the Kahramankazan district, Türkiye, Oct. 23, 2024. (AA Photo)
Two terrorists who attacked Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in the capital Ankara were “eliminated,” according to a top official who announced the toll of the incident on Wednesday evening.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that “in the terrorist attack on the TAI Kahramankazan facilities, two terrorists have been eliminated.” He lamented the loss of five lives, stating, “Unfortunately, we have five dead, and the total number of injured has reached 22.”
One of the male terrorists who attacked Turkish Aerospace Industries identified as PKK member Ali Orek, confirms interior minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Yerlikaya hinted at assailants being linked to PKK, stating, “We assess that the attack was most probably carried out by the terrorist organization PKK.”
Victims of terrorist attack identified
Meanwhile, the identities of those killed in the terrorist attack on TAI facility in the Kahramankazan district have been revealed.
According to reports, the victims include Cengiz Coskun, a quality control officer at TAI; mechanical engineer Zahide Guclu; TAI employee Hasan Huseyin Canbaz; security guard Atakan Sahin Erdogan; and taxi driver Murat Arslan.
Twenty-two others were injured in the attack and are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
She dies while receiving anniversary flowers
It was learned that Zahide Guclu had gone to the entrance of the facility to receive flowers sent by her husband when the attack occurred.
Additionally, it was reported that the terrorists boarded a taxi belonging to the Arslan Taxi Stand in the Kahramankazan district center, killed Murat Arslan, and hid his body in the trunk of the vehicle.
Erdogan condemns ‘heinous’ attack
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack, calling it “heinous” and targeting the facilities of TAI. Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz added that the attack “targets Türkiye’s successes in the defense industry.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reinforced Türkiye’s resolve, emphasizing that the country would continue fighting “resolutely against all terrorist elements, both inside and outside the country, and the powers that support them.”
He asserted, “We will keep strengthening our national defense capabilities and never allow those targeting Türkiye, along with their proxies, to achieve their ambitions over our country.”
Erdogan’s chief advisor, Akif Cagatay Kilic, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will never allow terrorist organizations to disrupt the unity and solidarity of our country.”
Turkish defense chief vows to ‘avenge’ terrorist act
Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed determination in the fight against terrorism, asserting, “We will not rest until the last terrorist is neutralized, and we will avenge this act and their pain in kind. Everyone will see this.”
In response to the attack, the President of Türkiye’s Defense Industry Agency, Haluk Gorgun, along with his delegation and TAI’s general manager, left the SAHA EXPO in Istanbul to return to Ankara.
Other ministers, including Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Trade Minister Omer Bolat, and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, also condemned the attack.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir emphasized the importance of the defense industry, stating, “The Technology Initiative and our defense industry are the keys to a fully independent Türkiye.”
The Justice Minister announced that an investigation into the terrorist attack had been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, assigning one chief prosecutor and eight public prosecutors to the case.
Explosion and gunshots in Türkiye’s capital
Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and gunshots at the TAI facilities in Ankara’s Kahramankazan district. Security forces, firefighters, and paramedics were quickly dispatched to the scene, directing personnel to shelters for safety.
Deputy Parliament Speaker Celal Adan condemned the attack, stating, “No act of terrorism can divert our country from its path. They will drown in the blood they have shed.” As the situation unfolded, emergency response teams, including those from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), were deployed to the area.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the attack targeting the defense facility.
