Latest: Russian ambassador shot in Ankara

Ankara, 19 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/19 December 2016 –  Russia’s ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov  has been shot in a gun attack in the Turkish capital, according to Turkish media as Al Jazeera quoted.

Andrey Karlov was speaking at an exhibition when he was shot in the back on Monday evening, the media added. Hurriyet newspaper said he had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The attacker let the guests out of the exhibition venue after he shot the diplomat, according to the reports.

cials said the assassin entered the building claiming he was a police officer. Some bystanders allege he shouted “Aleppo” when he shot Karlov, but the claims could not be immediately confirmed.

The attacker was said to have first shot Karlov in the back, before ordering people to leave the room. He then reportedly shot a second time as he lay on the floor. Turkish special forces have surrounded the gallery, believing the attacker to still be inside, the Guardian reported.(T/R04/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)