Police forensic experts work at the scene after an explosion in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, 31 Oct 2010 (Photo : AFP)Police Chief Huseyin Capkin said the bombs were discovered following a suicide attack Sunday that wounded 10 police officers and 12 civilians. He said two of the wounded were in serious condition and that the suicide bomber was killed.
Officials and witnesses said the blast ripped through a section of Taksim Square where riot police were gathering.
Turkish police cordoned off the scene, while ambulances rushed to treat the wounded.
Taksim Square is a major tourist area in the heart of modern Istanbul, with restaurants, shops and hotels. It is also home to the Republic Monument, built in 1928 to commemorate the creation of the Turkish Republic.
There has been no claim of responsibility.
Several groups have carried out bombings in Istanbul in the past, including Islamic extremists and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
The rebels have been fighting for decades for autonomy in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated southeast, but had recently declared a unilateral cease-fire. Sunday's bombing comes as the PKK cease-fire is set to expire.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
