ANKARA, Oct 28 (AFP) - Security forces in eastern Turkey detained two suspects who were allegedly preparing to bomb pipelines, the Anatolia news agency reported Thursday.
They arrested the men and seized their bomb-making material, including 3.1 kilograms (6.8 pounds) of C-4 plastic explosive, in a vehicle during a search near the small village of Binatli, in the eastern province of Batman, a statement by the local paramilitary gendarmerie headquarters said.
"The suspects are believed to have been planning attacks against oil pipelines, oil storage areas, security forces and civilians," said the statement, carried by Anatolia.
The arrests came in the wake of three bomb attacks in the past five days blamed on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) against a state-operated oil pipeline in Batman.
The PKK, now known as KONGRA-GEL, waged a 15-year campaign for Kurdish self-rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast until 1999, when it declared a unilateral ceasefire.
The rebels ended the truce on June 1 and there has been an increase since in clashes between the army and the rebels, who have been blamed for a series of attacks against government targets.
10/28/2004 11:31 GMT - AFP