Three teens held in deadly Turkey bombing that kills 17 people

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ISTANBUL, (Turkey), July 28 (AFP): Investigators were trying to determine Monday who was behind the deadliest attack against here civilians in nearly five years, a bombing that killed 17 people and injured more than 150 others in a crowded residential square.

The attack happened on the eve of a court's deliberations on whether to ban the Islamic-oriented ruling party for allegedly trying to undermine secularism, and the timing raised questions about whether there was a link.

The attack and the legal challenge to the government highlight a growing mood of uncertainty in Turkey, where an Islamic-oriented government that won a strong mandate in elections last year is locked in a power struggle with secular circles that have backing in the military and judiciary.

Officials described the blasts as a terrorist attack, though nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Turkish police, following a tip from residents, detained three teenagers who were found late Sunday in the basement of an apartment near the scene of the explosions, Milliyet newspaper reported on its Web site Monday.

The three, ages 16 and 17, claimed they hid in the basement because they were frightened from the explosions, the paper reported.

CNN-Turk television, citing security sources, said police suspect Kurdish rebels may be behind the blasts.