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Sushma Swaraj advises Indians not to travel to Turkey till situation normalises

News Agencies | Updated on: 16 July 2016, 10:16 IST

With Turkey witnessing a coup attempt by the military leading to bloody clashes in major cities, India has called upon all sides to support democracy and the ballot's mandate and avoid bloodshed.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on 16 July asked Indian nationals in Turkey to avoid public places and stay indoors. The EAM also advised Indian nationals not travel to Turkey until the situation normalised.

"Indian nationals in Turkey: Pl avoid public places and stay indoors. Indian nationals should not travel to Turkey until situation is normal there," tweeted Swaraj.

The minister also suggested that Indian nationals should stay in touch with the Indian Embassy there. "Pl ask them to stay indoors and remain in touch with @IndianEmbassyTR," she tweeted.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said they were closely following the developments in Turkey. "We hv been closely following the dev's in #Turkey India calls upon all sides 2 support democracy & mandate of the ballot, & avoid bloodshed," he tweeted.

He also released emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals in Ankara: +905303142203; and in Istanbul: +905305671095.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state news agency said 17 police officers have been killed in helicopter attacks. Some top army officials are said to be detained. Explosions were also reported near the Parliament in Ankara.

Later, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the situation is largely under control. He said more than 120 people have been arrested over the coup attempt.

--ANI

First published: 16 July 2016, 10:16 IST