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MUZAFFARABAD: U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for its assistance in capturing one of the alleged masterminds behind the August 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate, which killed 13 U.S. service members and over 150 others during the chaotic withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.
During a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, President Trump announced that the “terrorist” responsible for the Kabul Airport attack was being brought to the United States to face justice. The bombing, carried out by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), occurred on August 26, 2021, as thousands of Afghans crowded the airport in a desperate attempt to flee the country following the Taliban’s takeover.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Department of Justice (DOJ) collaborated to locate and apprehend the suspect, identified as Sharifullah, also known as “Jaafar.” According to senior Pakistani officials, Sharifullah, a resident of Kabul, was involved in planning the attack.
Pakistani security forces had been tracking Sharifullah for some time. Acting on intelligence provided by the U.S., Pakistani authorities arrested him in a border security operation near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The suspect was later handed over to U.S. officials after completing necessary legal procedures.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Sharifullah is a senior ISIS-K operative responsible for coordinating attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. During interrogation, Sharifullah admitted to facilitating the suicide bomber’s access to Abbey Gate, including helping him bypass U.S. and Taliban checkpoints.
If convicted, Sharifullah could face life imprisonment. The DOJ also revealed that he has claimed responsibility for other attacks, including a March 2024 bombing in Moscow, Russia, and several operations in Iran.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the arrest, stating that Sharifullah was apprehended during a successful counter-terrorism operation in the border region. In a social media post, PM Sharif thanked President Trump for acknowledging Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism in the region.
According to U.S. news outlet Axios, President Trump had directed CIA Director John Ratcliffe to prioritize capturing those involved in the Kabul Airport attack. Ratcliffe reportedly communicated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Asim Munir to coordinate efforts.
The arrest marks a significant step in delivering justice to the victims of the Kabul Airport attack and their families. It also highlights the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan in counter-terrorism efforts, despite occasional tensions in their bilateral relationship.
The Kabul Airport bombing remains a painful chapter in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the capture of Sharifullah is seen as a critical development in holding those responsible accountable.