Pakistan arrests Daesh spokesperson in major intelligence operation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani intelligence agencies have arrested a spokesperson for Daesh, also known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), in what officials described as a major intelligence operation, sources said.

The arrested individual was identified as Sultan Aziz Azzam, a member of the Khawarij faction, who served as the spokesperson for ISIS-K and founded the group’s official media wing, the Al-Azaim Foundation, the sources added.

The arrest was carried out several months ago but was disclosed only recently, according to the sources.

The Al-Azaim Foundation is regarded as the group’s primary platform for recruitment and propaganda. Following Azzam’s arrest, ISIS-K’s media operations were suspended, the sources said.

Pakistani authorities have conducted several high-profile arrests targeting ISIS-K in recent months, including the detention of Azzam, as part of a broader crackdown on the group, the sources added.

The arrest was also mentioned in the 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which said Pakistan’s actions had weakened ISIS-K’s organisational structure globally and disrupted several planned attacks.

The report also noted a decline in the group’s fighter numbers following the arrests.

According to the sources, Azzam was arrested in May 2025, along with senior ISIS-K leader Abu Yasir al-Turki, significantly reducing the group’s operational capability.

The operations also led to the suspension of key propaganda platforms, including “Voice of Khorasan.”