Reports of several casualties are coming through from the province of Van after an armored vehicle of Turkish forces was hit by a blast Monday noon.

The armored police vehicle was hit by a huge blast as it patrolled on Sürmeli Street in the Xaçort (Hacıbekir) neighborhood of the central İpekyolu district in Van province.

While Turkish sources say two police have died here, reports indicate a higher number of wounded policemen.

After the transfer of the wounded policemen to the Lokman Hekim Hospital, armored vehicles have surrounded the neighborhood which is also witnessing an ongoing helicopter activity.