A majority of the detentions occurred in the southeastern city of Mersin, where suspected militants from other parts of Turkey were reportedly staying, though there were also arrests made in Istanbul, Agence France Presse reported.

In another incident on Wednesday, gunfire and a blast were heard outside the iconic Dolmabache palace in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, “more than 2,500 people have been detained in raids targeting suspected members of the PKK, [ISIL], and DHKP-C“, notes The Telegraph.

Police is on the lookout for at least one more suspect.

Turkey has been on heightened alert since launching what Mr Davutoglu described a “synchronised war on terror” in July, exposing it to reprisals from Islamic State sympathisers, Kurdish militants and leftist radicals alike.

It blamed a “terrorist group” for the attack and said the perpetrators were also believed to be responsible for an armed assault on the Istanbul headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party earlier in the month.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) kills two Turkish policemen to avenge the Suruc attack. No casualties were reported.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutolgu was in Ankara as reports of the attack emerged.

Seven soldiers were also wounded in the attack and military helicopters and ambulances were dispatched to the area, the official Anatolia news agency said, adding that the clashes between the militants and soldiers were continuing.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either of the attacks, but US diplomatic missions and police stations have been targeted by far-left groups in Turkey in the past.

The Star Media Group says two masked men rammed a vehicle into Sancar’s auto on Thursday before opening fire on it. It said neither Sancar nor his driver and body guard were hurt.

He highlighted recent steps that the government had taken to reduce tensions with the Kurds, who are divided between Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.