Suspected DEAŞ Militant Killed in Shootout at Istanbul Bus Terminal

The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Serkan Çil, was born in Austria and had been under investigation there for allegedly planning to join the militant group. Turkish authorities were first alerted by Austrian officials, who shared intelligence that Çil was under investigation for planning to join DEAŞ. He entered Turkey on July 1 through Sabiha Gökçen Airport and was briefly detained but released under judicial control.

On September 3, Austrian authorities sent another tip-off stating Çil was preparing an attack. Following the new intelligence, Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and Istanbul police raided two addresses in the Pendik and Tuzla districts simultaneously. Çil had fled, but authorities discovered he had a ticket from Sultanbeyli bus terminal.

When cornered there, he opened fire on officers with a handgun; police returned fire and killed him. A man identified as Tahsin Polat, who was with Çil at the scene, was taken into custody. At Berkan Çil's residence, materials believed to be used in making explosives were found, and bomb disposal experts collected samples for examination.