Three of the casualties were identified as police officers. The shootout
lasted about five minutes and one of the attackers escaped.
"Turkey will fight against those who masterminded such acts and the
mentality behind it till the end," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said.
"Everybody has already seen that terrorism would not serve anything."
Officials said one of the dead assailants was found with a Syrian
passport. They said two of the attackers, detected by the police
surveillance system, MOBESE, had criminal records and were believed
connected to Al Qaida in Afghanistan.
"There is no doubt that this is a terrorist attack," Istanbul Gov.
Muammer Guler said.
Turkey has increased security in major cities, particularly Istanbul
amid an alert of an insurgency strike. Officials said the major threat
stemmed from the Kurdish Workers Party, which sustained heavy losses in
Turkish air and ground operations in northern Iraq in 2008.
In wake of the attack, the U.S. consulate said it would close until July
11. In a warden message, the consulate said no employees or family members
had been injured in the shootout.
"As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may
seek softer targets," the consulate said. "These can include facilities
where Americans and Westerners are known to live or congregate, especially
hotels, restaurants, housing compounds, places of worship, and resort areas.
U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to
maintain a low profile throughout Turkey."
