ISLAMABAD: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the capture of Mohammad Sharifullah, a key terrorist linked to the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians.
In his joint address to Congress, Trump praised Pakistan for its critical role in apprehending Sharifullah, stating, “I am pleased to thank Pakistan for helping arrest this monster.” The arrest stemmed from CIA intelligence, acted upon by Pakistan, as confirmed by a source familiar with the matter.
Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” was charged in the Eastern District of Virginia with providing and conspiring to provide material support to ISIS-K, a designated foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death.
The indictment, unsealed late Tuesday, details his role in scouting a route for the Abbey Gate attacker and supporting other lethal attacks, including a 2016 bombing of embassy guards in Kabul and a Moscow nightclub attack last year.
Pakistan’s cooperation was pivotal, with Trump’s CIA Director John Ratcliffe raising the issue in his first call with Pakistan’s intelligence chief, according to US media.
FBI Director Kash Patel, posting on X shortly after Trump’s announcement, confirmed that the FBI, DOJ, and CIA had secured Sharifullah’s extradition, calling it “one step closer to justice” for the victims’ families.
Trump, in his speech, also thanked Pakistan explicitly for its assistance, while criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Sharifullah, currently en route to the U.S., faces American justice for his alleged crimes, a development enabled by Pakistan’s swift action on U.S. intelligence.
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