Rocket attacks target police, AKP HQs in Istanbul

Rocket attacks on Jan. 20 targeted police headquarters in Istanbul and the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) local headquarters, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin said on Twitter that no one was injured in the police station attack and an investigation had been launched.  No injuries were reported on the AKP HQs attack, according to a Twitter post by the group's provincial head, Selim Temurci.  He later told reporters the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, pointing to the involvement of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).  He said two assailants were involved in the attack.   Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said terror groups carried out the attack on police headquarters.  President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was also briefed about incidents.

Five suspects were later detained over the incident, private broadcaster CNN Türk has reported.
Meanwhile, police engaged in an armed clash on Jan. 21 when an attacker opened fire on a police vehicle in the Esenyurt district.  There were no reports of casualties or injuries. The attacker fled the scene leaving a hand-grenade and a bag to the scene while operations are ongoing to apprehend him.