Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have arrested Sultan Aziz Azam, the official spokesman of Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), in a major counterterrorism operation that has significantly weakened the group’s global network.
Authorities carried out the arrest on May 16, 2025, targeting Azam, who founded ISIS-K’s central media wing, the Al Azaim Foundation. The group relied on Al Azaim to drive recruitment, propaganda, and ideological outreach. Following Azam’s detention, the foundation’s media operations have collapsed.
The development features prominently in the 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which credits Pakistan with inflicting sustained damage on ISIS-K’s organisational structure.
According to the report, Pakistani operations have disrupted multiple attack plans, reduced the group’s fighter strength, and removed key commanders and ideological figures. The arrests of Sultan Aziz Azam and senior ISIS-K leader Abu Yasir al-Turki in May proved especially damaging to the group’s operational capacity.
Defence analyst Anza Saqib says Sultan Aziz Azzam’s arrest is a major win for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. As ISKP’s media chief and spokesperson, he played a key role in propaganda, recruitment, and coordination. Targeting him reflects Pakistan’s intelligence-driven… pic.twitter.com/4I1fwPfjKX
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) December 18, 2025The UN report also confirms that major ISIS-K propaganda platforms, including Voice of Khorasan, ceased operations after Pakistan intensified its crackdown. Before joining ISIS-K’s media leadership, Azam had served as an adviser to the Nangarhar Provincial Council.
Analysts describe the loss of Azam as a severe setback for ISIS-K, as it undermines both the group’s messaging apparatus and its ability to attract recruits.
Regional pressure on ISIS leadership
The crackdown in Pakistan coincides with broader international pressure on ISIS leadership.
In March 2025, U.S. Central Command confirmed an airstrike in Iraq, conducted with Iraqi intelligence, that killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, also known as Abu Khadijah. He served as ISIS’s second-in-command globally.
TKD EXCLUSIVE: In a Major Blow to The Islamic State Khurasan [ISKP] its Spokesman and Founder of its Official Media, Al Azaim foundation, Sultan Aziz Azzam has been arrested by Pakistan| by Iftikhar Firdous https://t.co/18xCQBbKI1
— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) December 18, 2025Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described al-Rufayi as one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and worldwide. U.S. authorities had sanctioned him in 2023. He oversaw ISIS operations across Iraq and Syria, despite Iraq declaring the group defeated in 2017.
Security officials say these coordinated actions have sharply constrained ISIS’s ability to plan, communicate, and execute attacks across the region.
