Police thwart bomb attack in Turkey

Ankara: Reports say police acting on a tip have deactivated a bomb placed near a police station in the Turkish capital.

The Friday discovery comes at a time when police is on alert for possible attacks by Kurdish rebels ahead of the Aug. 15 anniversary of their first attack on Turkish targets in 1984. Kurdish rebels have been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's southeast. The conflict has killed as many as 40,000 people.

The state-run Anatolia news agency says the bomb was placed 100 meters (yards) from the headquarters of a riot police force.

CNN-Turk television said it was made of 3.5 kilograms (7.72 pounds) of plastic explosives - a device similar to those used by rebels in the past.

Police would not immediately comment on the report.