U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his appreciation to Pakistan for assisting in the capture of a high-profile Daesh militant believed to be responsible for the deadly attack at Kabul airport in 2021. The bombing, which targeted the Abbey Gate during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, claimed the lives of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
During his first address to Congress after beginning his second term, Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect is now in U.S. custody and will face prosecution.
“Three and a half years ago, a horrific terrorist attack at Abbey Gate took the lives of brave American service members and countless innocent Afghans. Today, I am proud to announce that we have captured the mastermind behind this atrocity,” Trump declared.
He strongly criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for what he described as a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, blaming him for the chaotic evacuation that left American personnel and Afghan allies vulnerable. Trump called the suspect’s capture a “major step toward justice” for the families of those who perished in the bombing.
While acknowledging Pakistan’s role in apprehending the militant, Trump refrained from sharing operational details regarding the arrest. However, reports from U.S. media outlet Axios have identified the suspect as Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, a senior commander of Daesh’s Afghanistan-Pakistan faction. Sources suggest that Sharifullah is currently being extradited from Pakistan and is expected to arrive in the United States by Wednesday.
The capture marks a significant development in counterterrorism efforts, underscoring ongoing U.S. intelligence and diplomatic collaboration with regional allies to combat extremist threats.
