Three people have been killed and several others wounded in a car bomb attack on a police station in the country's southeastern province of Mardin.

Hospital sources said more than 20 people, including police officers and civilians, were wounded in Wednesday's attack in the town of Midyat, a region where government forces are battling Kurdish separatists.

In televised comments, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said: "One police officer and two citizens have been confirmed dead so far."

According to images posted on Twitter, glass from blown-out windows littered the streets and plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the building.

Rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, have targeted police and military personnel since July, when a fragile peace process between the rebels and the government collapsed.

Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Gaziantep, said there has been an increase in attacks since the Turkish army launched operations against PKK fighters in the area.

In May, three people were killed in a car bombing by Kurdish rebels against a gendarmerie station in Midyat and, in April, a soldier was killed and six others wounded in a car bomb attack against their outpost in Mardin.

Wednesday's attack comes a day after a car bomb hit a police vehicle in Istanbul, killing 11 people during the morning rush hour.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

PHOTO CAPTION

Map of Turkey locating the province of Mardin

Al-Jazeera