ISTANBUL, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish prosecutors issued detention warrants for 271 soldiers on Friday over their alleged links to a network believed to be behind a failed coup bid in 2016, local media reported.

Police launched simultaneous operations in over 48 provinces across the country against the suspects, who are believed to have contacted imams of the network led by the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen via payphones and landlines, according to CNN Turk.

Most of those targeted in the operations were serving soldiers including 10 colonels, the broadcaster said, noting a retired general was also among the suspects.

The operations are being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, said the report.

Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed coup in July 2016 that left 250 people dead.?