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ANKARA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Three top commanders who were held hostage by the Gulenist coup attempters were saved on July 16, Defense Minister Fikri Isik announced on Saturday night.
"Our commander of air staff, naval staff and the second chief of general staff were saved from the Akinci Base where they were held and are in good condition," Isik told reporters in the capital Ankara, adding that it was early to say that the coup danger was completely over, while urging caution.
Meanwhile, the commander of gendarmerie forces Gen. Galip Mendi was also saved later.
In addition, a total of 72 coup plotters were detained during police operation at the Akinci Base in the capital Ankara.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan made a "thank you call" to parliament speaker and leaders of the two opposition parties on July 16.
The president thanked Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and National Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli for not giving credit to the July 15 coup attempt during a phone conversation.
