Smoke rises from a deadly explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds massing near the Kabul airport, in the waning days of a massive airlift that has drawn thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)
The United States has apprehended Mohammad Sharifullah, a senior commander of ISIS-K, who is accused of orchestrating the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport. This attack, during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians. President Donald Trump announced the arrest during a joint address to Congress on Tuesday evening, describing it as a significant step toward justice.
Details of the Arrest
- Identity of the Suspect: Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” is believed to have planned and overseen the suicide bombing. He is considered a high-ranking operational commander of ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan and Pakistan137.
- Operation and Cooperation: The arrest was made possible through close collaboration between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Acting on precise intelligence from the CIA, Pakistani authorities captured Sharifullah near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border late last month137.
- Extradition to the U.S.: Sharifullah is being extradited to the U.S., where he will face charges related to terrorism and conspiracy. He is expected to arrive on Wednesday, with formal charges set to be unsealed upon his arrival367.
Significance of the Capture
- Justice for Victims: Trump emphasized that this arrest brings justice closer for the families of the 13 American service members killed in the attack. He personally thanked Pakistan for its assistance in apprehending Sharifullah, calling it a “momentous day” for those affected by the bombing168.
- Broader Implications: The operation highlights renewed counterterrorism cooperation between Washington and Islamabad after years of strained relations. Analysts suggest this could mark a shift toward improved intelligence sharing in addressing regional security threats13.
Context and Reactions
- The Abbey Gate bombing was one of the deadliest attacks during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted crowds fleeing Taliban rule67.
- Trump used the announcement to criticize what he called the “disastrous and incompetent” U.S. withdrawal under his predecessor’s administration, suggesting it emboldened adversaries like Russia8.
This development underscores ongoing efforts by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies to hold perpetrators accountable for acts of terrorism against American citizens and allies.
Citations:
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1895923
- https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-abbey-gate-fbi-trump-ac0fc9019650071c4df0027a4b566714
- https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/afghanistan-bombing-plotter-detained-pakistan
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/04/politics/abbey-gate-afghanistan-trump-terrorist-apprehended/index.html
- https://amu.tv/161129/
- https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5177156-us-apprehended-top-terrorist-kabul-airport-bombing/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/03/05/abbey-gate-bombing-isis-trump/
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-says-suspected-2021-kabul-airport-bombing-plotter-being-sent-to-us/3500287
- https://www.afintl.com/en/202503057108
- https://www.dw.com/en/trump-says-kabul-airport-bombing-orchestrator-arrested/a-71829883
- https://tribune.com.pk/story/2532478/pakistani-forces-arrested-daesh-commander-behind-kabul-attack-earning-trumps-praise-for-nation
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1895923/pakistan-assisted-in-us-arrest-of-top-terrorist-responsible-for-2021-kabul-airport-bombing-trump-says
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVQz7zkI4Yw
- https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-says-is-militant-behind-kabul-airport-attack-arrested-fdac4aeb
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/us/politics/kabul-airport-bombing-isis-trump.html
- https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-arrests-isis-k-attack-planner-role-killing-us-military-service-members-abbey
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/shehbaz-sharif-reacts-as-donald-trump-thanks-pakistan-for-help-in-arrest-of-kabul-airport-bomber/articleshow/118733642.cms
- https://www.deccanherald.com/world/tasked-with-recce-near-kabul-airport-had-been-in-afghan-prison-until-2-weeks-before-bombing-isis-k-terrorist-tells-fbi-3433072
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/04/politics/abbey-gate-afghanistan-trump-announce-extradition/index.html
