Turkey confirms PKK behind bomb attack at Izmir courthouse

Turkish authorities have no doubt that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was behind the bomb attack in Izmir that killed two people, China's Xinhua news agency reported Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying.

Bozdag also told press that 18 people were detained in relation to the attack, adding that one of the terrorists tried to enter the courthouse.

A car bombing and gunfire occurred outside the main courthouse in Turkey's third largest city, killing two and injuring seven.

Izmir Governor Erol Ayyildiz told press on Thursday that one of the victims was a police officer while the other was an employee at the Izmir courthouse, adding that around seven people were also wounded and two militants were killed.

Ayyildiz said an armed clash erupted with militants as police attempted to stop and search the car, adding that the militants were killed in clashes while two Kalashnikov and eight hand grenades were also seized.

The local governor also said initial findings suggested that the PKK was responsible for the attack.

The terror attack occurred just several days after a gunman killed 39 people in a New Year's Day mass shooting at an Istanbul nightclub. -- BERNAMA