A police officer succumbed early Friday to injuries he sustained in a firefight during a drug operation in İstanbul that injured several people and left a colleague in critical condition, the T24 news website reported.
The clashes occurred during an operation at a suspected drug transshipment point in the Kağıthane district of İstanbul. The suspects, who had barricaded themselves inside the building, fired a variety of weapons, according to the İstanbul Governor’s Office.
Police officer Hakan Telli was fatally wounded during the firefight, although he received immediate medical attention. Another police officer suffered serious injuries and is in critical condition.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m., when police began the operation and came under fire from the suspects.
Two police officers suffered gunshot wounds and were quickly taken to medical facilities for treatment. In response to the escalating situation, additional units of special task forces and riot police were dispatched to the scene.
Police cordoned off the area and prevented access to the building where the confrontation took place. One of the attackers, D. A. (18), was found dead after the confrontation. The remaining suspects, identified as O.A. (27), A.A. (19), K.T. (22), and G.D. (19), were detained. According to reports, O.A. sustained injuries in the incident.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of concern about gun violence in Turkey. Experts point to the wide distribution of unlicensed firearms in Turkey, with an estimated one in two people owning a gun. This has led to increased incidents involving firearms, including violent confrontations and robberies.