Senior ISIS Leader Captured in Joint Pakistan-Turkey Intelligence Operation

Ankara – In a major breakthrough against international terrorism, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), in close coordination with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has successfully captured a high-ranking ISIS commander known as Abu Yasir al-Turki, also identified as Ogzur Altun.
According to Turkish media reports, the arrest came as part of a targeted joint intelligence operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Abu Yasir, a Turkish national and a key figure on Turkey’s “Orange List” of most-wanted terrorists, was deeply involved in ISIS operations across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
Turkey–Pakistan Intelligence Cooperation
MIT reportedly uncovered through covert investigations that Ogzur Altun was orchestrating ISIS activities in the region, including recruitment, propaganda dissemination in Turkish and English, and logistical support. He was also believed to be issuing directives for attacks in Turkey and Europe, especially targeting public gatherings such as concerts.
Upon learning that Abu Yasir had illegally entered Afghanistan from Türkiye and was planning to move into Pakistan, MIT alerted ISI. Pakistan responded affirmatively, with a clear message: “Türkiye’s enemy is also Pakistan’s enemy.”
This led to a joint operation in the border areas where the ISIS leader was successfully apprehended and subsequently handed over to Turkish authorities.
Confession and Intelligence Gains
During preliminary interrogation, Abu Yasir admitted to his role in overseeing the movement of jihadist fighters into the region, managing ISIS’s media operations, and spearheading global propaganda campaigns that incited terrorist acts.
Turkish intelligence officials confirmed that the operation foiled multiple planned ISIS attacks within Türkiye and revealed several of the group’s operational blueprints. Crucial digital materials used by the terrorists were also seized during the raid.
This operation marks a significant success in counterterrorism collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey, underscoring the strategic importance of international intelligence partnerships in combating global terrorism.