Three people have been shot dead near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul as Turkish police have neutralised three suspects.
Another two police officers were injured during the dramatic gunfight breaking out in front of the building.
Shocking footage has also recounted one of the officers deployed to the scene pulling out a gun and ducking for cover while gunshots echoed around the vicinity.
The ordeal lasted for approximately six minutes in the city centre, reports added. Further footage shows another individual covered in blood.
While the target of the attackers is unclear, the trio launched an attack on a police station before all three were "neutralised", Turkish media said.
In the fallout, one of the attackers was killed, while the other two were injured. Two members of the trio are confirmed as brothers.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci has since confirmed the attackers had links to an organisation known to "exploit religion".
He said: "Three individuals who engaged in an armed clash with our police officers on duty in front of the Yapı Kredi Plaza Blocks in Istanbul have been neutralised.
Police officers quickly neutralised the gunmen
|REUTERS
"In the clash, two of our heroic police officers sustained minor injuries. The identities of the terrorists have been identified.
"It has been determined that the individuals, who arrived in Istanbul by a rental vehicle from Izmit, include one with ties to an organisation that exploits religion.
"It has also been established that one of the two terrorists, who are brothers, has a drug record."
Meanwhile, the city's governor said the two police officers were "lightly" wounded, with the attackers brandishing rifles and guns to carry out the deadly attack.
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Police and specialist officers descended on the scene
|REUTERS
Confirming the three arrived at the scene in a car before carrying out the horrific attack, he added: “One of the terrorists was killed, and two others were neutralised with injuries.
"This major attack was overcome with minimal damage thanks to the precautions taken by our police."
The offending trio were believed to be bearing rifles and donned camouflage clothes while carrying backpacks, Turkish media said.
Emergency services as well as special officers descended on the scene while the shocking scene unravelled.
The consulate was evacuated back in 2023 when Israeli officials called for the return of its diplomatic staff from the Turkish city.
The building, as a result, has been disused for more than two years and is believed to be unstaffed.
Local officials have confirmed they are launching an investigation into the attack, while a mammoth police presence has flocked to the area surrounding the consulate.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is expected to give an address later today.
The deadly rampage has taken place while tensions continue to boil across the Middle East with the Iran war raging on.
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