Ankara (Turkey), Dec. 22 (LaPresse/AP) – Turkish intelligence agents have arrested a senior member of the Islamic State in an area along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, thereby thwarting planned suicide attacks likely targeting Turkey and elsewhere. This was reported by Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu. According to the report, the man was identified as Mehmet Goren, a member of the Afghanistan-based ISIS-Khorasan branch. He was captured during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. It is unclear when the operation took place or whether Afghan and Pakistani authorities were involved. Reports say the Turkish national had risen through the ranks of the organization and had been tasked with carrying out suicide attacks in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Europe. ISIS has carried out deadly attacks in Turkey in the past, including a shooting at an Istanbul nightclub on January 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed. According to the information, Goren’s capture also revealed the group’s recruitment methods and provided intelligence on its plans.