[3] In 1066, sultan Alp Arslan appointed Gümüsh-Tekin and Afşin to lead raids into Byzantine Anatolia.
[7][9] He was besieging Attalia (modern Antalya) in April 1068 when he received news of having been pardoned by Alp Arslan after which he raised the siege in exchange for ransom and war supplies.
[6] It seems that the successes of his raids enabled his return to regain the favour of Alp Arslan as it had strengthened his position both practically and ideologically.
[7][2] Afşin then served as one of Alp Arslan's major commanders in the events leading up to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 in which he participated.
[10] Afşin earned a terrifying reputation because of the devastation his men wrought between Aleppo and Ma'arrat al Nu'man.