Turkey has repeatedly fired back at Islamic State positions under its rules of engagement but has said it needs greater support from Western allies, citing the difficulty of hitting moving targets with howitzers.
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Four civilians were among those injured in the explosion, according to governor Ali Yerlikaya of Gaziantep province, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Assailants first opened fire from a speeding auto before a second vehicle, laden with explosives, was detonated in front of the police building in Gaziantep, near the border with Syria, Hurriyet newspaper reported.
The police station is close to offices for the governor and mayor.
Turkish news reports said the investigation was focusing on the possibility the attack was carried out by Islamic State (IS) jihadists who still control territory in Syria on the other side of the border. In Kilis province alone, a total of 20 people have been killed and 60 others have been wounded as a result.
Turkey has recently suffered assaults both from Kurdish militants and Islamic State fighters raising fears that conflict could be spilling over from neighbouring Syria. In the past year, more than 200 people across the country have been killed in six major bombings. The bombing defied intensified security measures for May Day celebrations and led to their cancellation, according to AHaber television.
İsmail Ufak, 27, died in Kilis State Hospital, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.
Following reconnaissance by drones after the latest strikes, Turkish artillery hit IS positions in Syria on Sunday, Anatolia said, adding that nine jihadists were killed. It wasn’t possible to verify the agency’s claim.
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The Turkish shelling took place after rockets were fired from Syria at the Turkish city of Kilis along the northern Syrian border Sunday.
