ISIS-linked suspect Berkan Çil was neutralized in the Istanbul operation

In the studies carried out under the coordination of the Directorate of National Intelligence Organization and Istanbul Police Department, an effort was initiated to capture Berkan Çil (21), who is considered to be affiliated with the DAESH armed terrorist organization and planning a terrorist attack in Turkey.

EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES WERE SEIZED

Anti-Terrorism Branch Directorate teams carried out an operation at 2 addresses determined in the Pendik and Tuzla districts of Istanbul the previous day, within the scope of their work carried out in coordination with the Intelligence Branch Directorate. Berkan Çil escaped during the operation and lost track of him. Police teams searched Berkan Çil's home address and seized rope and chemicals used in making explosive bombs. Samples of explosive materials were taken for examination by Bomb Disposal Investigation teams. It was claimed that members of the terrorist organization kept ropes at home in order to commit suicide in case the police surrounded the house they were in during any operation.

Thereupon, efforts were expanded to capture the suspect. In the investigation carried out by the police teams, it was determined that Çil bought a ticket for a bus departing from Sultanbeyli Bus Terminal. The teams took precautions at the bus station and started working to catch the suspect. Meanwhile, Çil, who opened fire on the police teams with the gun he was wearing, was neutralized after the teams responded.

Suspect G.Ç., whose connection with Çil was identified, was caught and detained at his home address in Tuzla. During the searches at the house, an unlicensed gun and 200 cartridges were seized.

A citizen named Tahsin Polat (49), who was at the bus station during the conflict and was injured, lost his life despite all the interventions made in the hospital where he was taken.