Police chief wounded in gun attack in eastern Turkey

The head of the riot police department was wounded in a gun attack by an unknown assailant in the eastern province of Bingöl late Nov. 29.

The attacker on motorcycle opened fire on Ali İhsan Güngör while he was getting into his car following a visit to a village guard in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan neighborhood.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and took Güngör to Bingöl State Hospital while the assailant managed to escape.

An operation has been launched into the incident as police are examining all security cameras in the city to capture the attacker. Güngör's heath condition has been improving, reports said.

Meanwhile, Bingöl Governor's Office released a statement over the incident on Nov. 30, saying Güngör was hospitalized not due to an assault, but an accident, according to Anadolu Agency.

"Güngör being wounded at around 7:15 p.m. in Bingöl's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan neighborhood was not the result of a terrorist attack, but happened due to an accident," the statement said.

Another gun attack on the police was launched on Oct. 9 in the city, causing the death of Bingöl Police Department deputy head Atıf Şahin and police chief Hüseyin Hatipoğlu. The head of city's police department, Atalay Ülker and his body guard were wounded in the attack.