Kurdish separatists, far left groups, far right groups and Islamist militants, including al Qaeda, have all carried out bomb attacks in Turkey in the past, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
"As a police vehicle carrying 21 officers was passing by, a remote control bomb on a motorcycle exploded. Our teams are carrying out the investigation," Istanbul police chief Huseyin Capkin told reporters.
"I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Istanbul`s Sutluce district. Sadly, 15 police officers and one civilian were injured as a result," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference in Ankara.
"Our struggle against terrorism will continue with the utmost determination," he said.
The bomb exploded on a road junction next to a building site in the Sutluce district of Istanbul, a poor, but developing neighbourhood on the banks of the Golden Horn.
Fire engines and police vehicles surrounded the area and glass littered the streets as forensic officers in white overalls combed the area for evidence.
"Investigations into the type of bomb and the organisation (behind it) are continuing," media quoted Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin as saying. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
