Daesh Leader Apprehended in Joint Pakistan-Turkiye Operation

A high-ranking Daesh figure was captured in a joint intelligence operation by Pakistan and Turkiye in a border region connected to Afghanistan, according to a Turkish news source citing security officials on Sunday.

The Daesh operative taken into custody has been identified as Ozgur Altun, known by the alias “Abu Yasir Al Turki”.

Altun was a wanted individual in Turkiye for allegedly orchestrating attacks targeting public concert venues and other civilian locations both within Turkiye and across Europe, the report stated.

The report further indicated that the operative was the most senior Turkish member of Daesh and held a significant position in the group’s media and logistical operations.

The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) of Turkiye had been monitoring Altun’s movements and discovered that he was coordinating the transfer of Daesh combatants from Europe and Central Asia toward the Afghanistan-Pakistan area.

After sharing the details with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, a joint precision operation was carried out by MIT and ISI, resulting in Altun’s capture at the border. The report mentioned that he was subsequently extradited to Turkiye for further inquiries.

Pakistan and Turkiye maintain close and friendly relations, and both countries have consistently expressed their commitment to strengthening broad-based cooperation.

During a recent interaction between top officials, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged their dedication to continued close collaboration for regional stability, sustainable progress, and the mutual prosperity of their citizens.

The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing, historical, and cordial ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared principles, mutual respect, and a unified vision for advancement and affluence.