In a joint intelligence operation, Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) captured Özgür Altun, a high-ranking Daesh (ISIS) key figure long wanted by international security agencies.
Altun, a Turkish national who operated under the alias “Abu Yasir Al Turki,” was apprehended on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following intelligence sharing between the two countries. He was subsequently handed over to Turkish authorities.
Altun previously served as a senior propaganda operative for Daesh and was featured in the group’s media as its Turkish-language spokesperson. According to security sources, he played a central role in organizing the movement of Daesh recruits from Europe and Central Asia into Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Placed in the “orange” category on Türkiye’s most-wanted terrorist list, Altun was identified by MIT through investigations into a network facilitating cross-border militant movement. He was also reportedly planning attacks targeting Türkiye and public spaces in Europe.
Turkish intelligence discovered that Altun was managing Daesh-Khorasan’s Turkish media arm and producing propaganda in Turkish and English. He also coordinated recruitment activities and encouraged so-called “lone wolf” attacks globally.
Following MIT’s alert that Altun was attempting to cross into Pakistan, ISI conducted a precision raid with Turkish cooperation, leading to his arrest. Officials described the joint effort as a milestone in Türkiye-Pakistan intelligence collaboration, reinforced by recent high-level talks.
After his deportation to Türkiye, Altun confessed to his leadership role in Daesh media operations and recruitment. He admitted to orchestrating communication strategies targeting Turkish-speaking audiences and helping facilitate terror plots in Türkiye and abroad.
Despite the collapse of Daesh’s territorial stronghold in 2019, its remnants — including the Khorasan Province network — continue to pose a serious threat. Turkish authorities have intensified counterterrorism efforts, recently foiling Daesh plots and freezing assets linked to terrorism financing.
Daesh remains one of the primary terrorist threats to Türkiye, which has suffered deadly attacks in recent years and continues to combat multiple extremist groups including the PKK and YPG.
