ISTANBUL - Turkish police on Monday thwarted a bomb attack in the heart of Istanbul and arrested a man carrying a bag filled with explosives and a detonator, the Anatolia news agency reported.
The man, who had false identity papers, was arrested near a bus terminus in the city`s Mecidiyekoy area.
His bag contained 3.5 kilogrammes (7.7 pounds) of plastic explosives, a detonator connected to a mobile phone and steel balls apparently intended to act as shrapnel.
The NTV television station said a further three suspects were later detained by anti-terrorist police.
PKK terrorists and various underground left-wing groups are active in Istanbul, where they target both military and civilian locations.
ba/mat/ach
12/24/2007 16:33 GMT