Five killed and dozens injured in terror attack at Turkish aerospace firm

Witnesses heard gunfire and explosions at the aerospace site near the Turkish capital of Ankara on Wednesday

Five people have been killed and 22 wounded in an attack on an aerospace firm near the Turkish capital of Ankara, the government said.

Two attackers - a man and a woman - were killed in the skirmish after witnesses heard gunfire and an explosion at the site, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

Broadcasters showed images of a damaged gate and footage of an exchange of gunfire in a car park, as well as attackers carrying assault rifles and backpacks as they entered the building.

Mr Yerlikaya said the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was suspected of being behind the attack - a guerrilla group dedicated to Kurdish autonomy from Turkey.

“Two terrorists were neutralised in the terror attack on the Tusas Ankara Kahramankazan site,” Mr Yerlikaya said.

Turkish armed police walk nearby the gate of the Turkish Aerospace Industries following an attack on the site (AFP via Getty Images)

Witnesses said employees inside the building were taken by authorities to shelters and no one was permitted to leave for a few hours.

They said the blasts they heard may have taken place at different exits as employees were leaving work for the day.

On Tuesday, Turkey raised the possibility the PKK’s imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan could be granted parole in he renounced violence and disbanded his organisation.

Ocalan has been fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people since the 1980s. It is considered a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a Brics conference in the Russian city of Kazan, condemned the attack.

A taxi reportedly used by the attackers is towed away following reports of gunfire and explosions (Getty Images)

“We have four martyrs. We have 14 wounded. Icondemn this heinous terrorist attack and wish mercy on our martyrs,” Erdogan said at the time.

Nato, the United States and the European Union also condemned the attack. Mark Rutte said the alliance would stand by Turkey.

Tusas is Turkey’s largest aerospace manufacturer, currently producing a training craft, combat and civilian helicopters, as well as developing the country’s first fighter jet, Kaan.

Smoke billows above the aerospace site which was attacked by suspected Kurdish militants (AP)

The firm is owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and government and employs more than 10,000 people.

The blast occurred as an important trade fair for the defence and aerospace industries was taking place in Istanbul.

Turkey’s defence sector, which is known for making Bayraktar drones, accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the country’s export revenues, with revenues thought to exceed £8bn in 2023.