Syrian woman planted Istanbul bomb: Turkish police

Turkish police on Monday said they had arrested a Syrian woman for planting a bomb that killed six people in central Istanbul, adding that she was working for Kurdish militants.

The woman is "of Syrian nationality," the private NTV television quoted the police as saying. She reportedly admitted to have received an order from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Earlier on Monday, Turkey’s interior minister had announced that the police have detained a suspect but did not reveal the identity.

Turkish television broadcast footage released by the Turkish security forces purporting to show the arrest of the main suspect in the Sunday explosion from a property she was allegedly hiding in.

The suspect, wearing a purple top and black pants, is later seen being escorted by a female police officer.

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Police also seized large amounts of cash and gold items during the search, according to the footage.

Six people were killed and several dozen others were wounded in Sunday's explosion on Istiklal Avenue, a popular thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants that leads to the iconic Taksim Square.

Sunday's explosion was a shocking reminder of the anxiety and safety concerns that stalked the Turkish population during years when such attacks were common.

The country was hit by a string of deadly bombings between 2015 and 2017, some by the Islamic State group, others by Kurdish militants who seek increased autonomy or independence.

(with AFP and AP inputs)