Eight people suspected of having links with the PKK terrorist organization were detained in an operation late Sunday.

Anti-terror special operation units captured the suspects in simultaneous operations in the Sultangazi and Gaziosmanpaşa districts of Istanbul. The eight suspected PKK militants were mentioned in intelligence reports as likely to commit illegal activities after Aug. 15.

In addition to the eight suspects who were detained, four unlicensed pistols, two hunting rifles and almost 250 buckshot shells were found with them.

Prior to that, a senior PKK figure, Rakip Yardımcı, who is also known by the code name "Cigerhun," was arrested Friday in an anti-terror operation in the Istanbul district of Bağcılar.

Yardımcı was in the "grey category" of the Interior Ministry's most wanted terrorists list and a TL 300,000 ($100,000) cash reward was announced for information leading to his arrest.

Elsewhere, two PKK terrorists were killed in an air operation carried out by security forces in the Şemdinli district of southeastern Hakkari province yesterday.

In the operation conducted in a rural area of the district, a PK machine gun, two clips for AK-47 rifles, a list of PKK watchers and several items used for handmade explosives were also confiscated, according to a statement released by the governorate.

Previously, 10 suspected PKK militants were arrested in Ankara on Sunday, a security source said.

The suspects were preparing to carry out attacks on public institutions and civilian targets on Monday, the 32nd anniversary of the group's first armed attacks in Turkey, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The counterterrorism police operation targeted members of the PKK's youth wing, the source added. Leading figures are said to be among those arrested.

A reconditioned blank gun, ammunition and documents were found in the raid.

Elsewhere, 124 people were arrested in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır over the last five days, police said Sunday. There were also suspected plans for attacks on Monday, which marks the launch of the PKK's armed campaign in 1984, targeting gendarmes in Siirt and Hakkari in the southeast.