Ankara (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Suspicions continue to foment surrounding the author of yesterday’s attack in Ankara which left six people dead, one of them a Pakistani citizen.  The rush hour explosion, which also left a further 60 people wounded; hit a busy market in the heart of the capitals’ commercial centre, close to the main bus station and Ulus square.  Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited the Population to “remain united against terrorism” and warned of possible further attacks.

NTV reported that seven people have been arrested in connection with the bombing. The police are remaining tight lipped regarding investigations but have declared that it is "following every possible avenue of investigation". So far no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.  Interior Minister Osman Gunes, has not excluded the possibility that a suicide bomber was behind the attack.  If this possibility is confirmed, investigations would then centre on Islamic terrorism or Islamic-nationalist violence which has already hit the country.  Another theory, grounded in the type of explosive used is that the attack was carried out by the outlawed armed Kurdish separatist group Pkk (Kurdish workers Party).

Turkey has witnessed an increase in violent attacks in recent times: in November 2003 more than 60 people were killed in a series of Al Qaeda linked suicide bombings in Istanbul.  Kurdish rebels have also targeted large cities and tourist coastal resorts but never Ankara.

This attack in the heart of the Capital, upon till now free of such violence, comes two months ahead of the delicate national elections spurred on by a political tug of war over the Presidency.  However it has become increasingly clear that what really is at stake is the future of the secular state.