The explosives planted by "terrorists" -- the offial jargon for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- were detonated as the train, carrying both goods and passengers, was passing through Erzincan province on its way to the neighbouring province of Sivas, the company said in a written statement.

The explosion derailed eight freight carriages, but there were no casualties either among the train's crew or passengers, the statement added.

The NTV news channel said the derailed carriages were laden with military equipment.

The PKK, blacklisted as a terrorist group by both Turkey and much of the international community, has in the past attacked trains as part of its 26-year violent campaign against Ankara.

The group has significantly stepped up attacks since its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan said in late May that he was abandoning efforts to seek dialogue with Ankara for a peaceful end to the conflict and the rebels called off a unilateral truce in early June.

Some 45,000 people have been killed since 1984 when the PKK picked up arms for self-rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast.