The driver, Mehmet Çelik, told police that there were nearly 900 hand grenades in the truck. The truck was driving from the city of Muğla to Ankara.
The counterterrorism unit of the Ankara Police Department stopped the truck near the Etimesgut district of Ankara on Wednesday night after they received a tip through the 155 police hotline. When police attempted to search the truck, the driver and other people in the vehicle stated that the truck contained hand grenades and that they were going to deliver the weapons to a military unit. When the police requested the necessary documents, the driver provided a document proving that the vehicle belongs to Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). The police were also told that the serial numbers on the hand grenades were scratched out.
The counterterrorism unit reported the situation to the Ankara public prosecutor. The Ankara Police Department sent a bomb disposal team to the scene. Upon the request of the prosecutor, the truck was brought to the Ankara Police Department. Currently, police forces are investigating whether non-military vehicles are allowed to carry military equipment without an escort. One civilian, one sergeant and one soldier were detained during the investigation. Ankara Police Department head Orhan Özdemir personally attended the interrogation.
Military officials reported that they were aware of the transfer of military equipment, the Anatolia news agency reported. According to the officials, renting a vehicle for similar military equipment transfers is routine and less risky. The military also stated that 12 trucks carrying military equipment entered Ankara today.
Police officials say the military needs to inform police when they transfer explosives and ask for an escort. Ankara police officials said they received no information with respect to the truck.
