Heavy military deployment seen in Ankara, Istanbul

A man rises his hand in front of a military vehicles during an attempted coup in Ankara, Turkey July 16, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA/ISTANBUL - Heavy military deployment were seen early Saturday morning in the Turkish capital of Ankara and Turkey's most populous city Istanbul, following a military coup attempt in the country, according to Xinhua reporters.

In Ankara, Xinhua reporters saw warplanes such as F-16 fighters and military helicopters flying over head and heard sounds of guns and suspected warplane bombing.

Turkish NTV reported on early Saturday that a Sikorsky helicopter of rebels was downed by F-16 fighters.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told media that the Turkish army would shoot down the planes flying over Ankara.

Reports cited the prosecutor's office reporting that 42 people were killed in capital Ankara during the military coup attempt.

At around 1:00 a.m. (2200 GMT Friday), several military tanks passed the intersections near the Turkish parliament building and the headquarters of the General Staff. Emotional civilians were seen launching stones at the tanks.

Due to the blockade caused by the civilians, the tanks had to change their route and continued to advance, crashing into the vehicles and telegraph poles at the roadside.

According to Xinhua reporter, the parliament building was bombed by anti-government forces in early Saturday morning, which injured a dozen people.

Until 3:00 a.m. (0000 GMT), interrupted gunshots were still heard near Xinhua's Ankara bureau, while there were not many people on the street.

Meanwhile, three warplanes were seen flying over Taksim area in central Istanbul and huge explosions were heard.