A SUICIDE bomber detonated an explosive device in the Turkish capital of Ankara today, hours before parliament was set to reopen after a three-month summer recess with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A second operative was killed in a shootout with police, the interior minister said.

There was no immediate information on the assailants or claim of responsibility for the attack, but minister of interior affairs Ali Yerlikaya said the assailants arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle.

Television footage showed bomb squads working near a parked vehicle in the area, which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings. 

A rocket launcher could be seen lying near the vehicle.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched into the attack.

He added: “These attacks will in no way hinder Turkey’s fight against terrorism.

“Our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination.”

Police cordoned off access to the city centre and increased security measures, warning citizens that they would be conducting controlled explosions of suspicious packages.

Two police officers were being treated in a hospital and were not in serious condition, but there were no other reports of injuries, media reports said.