Turkish police on Tuesday nabbed a senior Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) member, who is responsible for the terror group's activities in Ankara, during an operation inside the Middle East Technical University's (ODTÜ) forest in the capital.
The anti-terror police unit was following Ilhan K. for a while and located him inside the forest, hiding from the security officials as the circle around him began to tighten.
The 34-year-old terrorist had an arrest warrant for four charges, including launching and leading a terrorist group. He spent some time in prison in 2013 for criminal weapon possession.
The DHKP-C, although less influential in Turkey than other terrorist organizations such as the PKK, still presents a considerable threat to the country. Founded in 1978, the militant group was most active during the Cold War era, but it has revived activities and attacks in recent years.
The group was behind a suicide bombing that targeted the United States Embassy in Ankara in 2013. Also, in August 2015, two suspected DHKP-C members opened fire on the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul and fled when police returned fire. The DHKP-C also claimed responsibility for non-lethal rocket attacks targeting the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters, National Police headquarters and a Justice Ministry building in Ankara in 2013.
