Fire has been opened on the motorcade of the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) leader in the Şavşat district of the Black Sea province of Artvin.

Leader of the Turkish opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu said that he is safe, the country`s TRT Haber TV channel reported live.

Kilicdaroglu added that he and his party delegation were in Turkey`s north-western province of Artvin within the framework of the party`s program.

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16:30

Three servicemen were injured and one was killed as a result of the attack on the convoy of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Turkish opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP), Efkan Ala, Turkish interior minister, said, TRT Haber TV channel reported Aug. 25.

He said that the militants of the Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) terrorist organization may stand behind the attack. Ala added that the attack on Kilicdaroglu is an attack on Turkey`s democratic system.

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15:42

The bodyguards of the CHP leader fired back at the attackers, a Doğan News Agency reporter said on CNN Türk.

Kılıçdaroğlu has been kept in his car for security while police and the assailants have engaged in an armed clash.

However, an adviser for Kılıçdaroğlu said it was not an armed attack targeting the CHP leader but clashes erupted in the region.

Kılıçdaroğlu was heading back to the city center, where he was for his party`s program.

Kılıçdaroğlu told private broadcaster CNN Türk via telephone that they had been taken out of the clash zone by security forces.

“We are in a safe place but clashes are continuing. I hope no security personel will be hurt,” he said.

Kılıçdaroğlu`s bodyguards shot an attacker who was preparing to stage a rocket attack targeting the CHP leader, a CNN Türk correspondent has reported

Interior Minister Efkan Ala has stated that two non-commissioned officers and one soldier safeguarding the party motorcade were wounded in the attack.

He said the soldier was heavily wounded in his head.

Ala also added that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) was "definitely" the perpetrator of the attack.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Interior Minister Efkan Ala have reportedly called Kılıçdaroğlu to extend their best wishes.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş also posted a tweet condemning the attack.

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