Ankara: Four people were killed and 14 others wounded in an attack on the headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries Corporation on Wednesday, the government said, and witnesses said they heard gunfire and a loud explosion at the site near Ankara.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that two of the attackers were killed in what he described as a terrorist attack, adding that three of the injured were in critical condition. Television stations earlier showed footage of armed attackers entering the Tosas building.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, at the BRICS conference in the Russian city of Kazan, described the attack as a terrorist attack.
The cause of the explosion, its perpetrators and the subsequent shooting remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility. The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the Public Prosecution had launched an investigation.
Some media reports claimed that there had been a suicide attack and that there were hostages inside the building, although officials did not confirm this.
Witnesses told Reuters that the authorities moved the employees inside the building to shelters and no one was allowed to leave for a few hours. They said that the explosions they heard may have occurred at different exits while employees were leaving work that day.
Broadcasters showed images of a destroyed gate and footage of gunfire in the parking lot, as well as attackers carrying assault rifles and backpacks as they entered the building. Ambulances and helicopters arrived later.
TUSAS is Turkey’s largest aircraft manufacturer, currently producing training aircraft, combat and civilian helicopters, as well as developing the country’s first indigenously built fighter aircraft, the KAAN. It is owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and the government, and employs more than 10,000 people.
President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Türkiye
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Ankara, which led to tragic loss of life on Wednesday.
In separate statements on Wednesday, the two leaders expressed their deep condolences and affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Türkiye in this time of grief.
President Zardari offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and expressed his solidarity with the government and people of Türkiye.
“We stand in full solidarity with our Turkish brothers and sisters at this difficult time,” he said, adding that Pakistan understands the pain caused by such atrocities, having suffered the scourge of terrorism.
Zardari said: “Terrorists are enemies of peace and humanity,” stressing the need for united global efforts to combat terrorism and ensure a secure future for all countries.
Chief Minister Shehbaz took to social media platform X to express his shock and sadness over the attack. He offered his condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people, saying: “Pakistan stands in full solidarity with its Turkish brothers.”
Sharif also prayed for the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The two leaders stressed Pakistan’s strong stance against terrorism in all its forms.
The attack, which took place at the headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries Company near Ankara, killed four people and injured 14 others, three of whom are in critical condition.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that two attackers were killed in what he described as a terrorist attack. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire and a strong explosion at the site. Television footage showed armed attackers entering the Tosas building.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was attending the BRICS conference in Kazan, Russia alongside President Vladimir Putin, also referred to the incident as a terrorist attack.
“NATO stands by its ally Türkiye amid the deadly attack”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that the military alliance will stand by its ally Turkey amid a deadly attack on the headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries Company, one of the most important defense and aviation companies in Turkey.
“We are deeply concerned about reports of deaths and injuries in Ankara. #NATO stands by our ally #Turkey. “We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are closely monitoring developments,” Rutte said in a post on X.
Putin meets Erdogan and offers condolences over the “terrorist attack” in Ankara
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Wednesday, offering his condolences over the deadly attack on a defense company near Ankara.
“We are very pleased to welcome you to Kazan, but before we begin our work, I would like to express my condolences regarding the terrorist attack,” Putin said at the beginning of the talks with the Turkish President.