Karachi: The United States Central Command (US Centcom) has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for assisting in the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah alias Jafar, the main suspect behind the 2021 Kabul Airport attack. The suicide bombing at Abbey Gate of Kabul Airport had killed 170 Afghans and 13 US troops during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) in Urdu, US Centcom acknowledged Pakistan’s cooperation in capturing Sharifullah and emphasized the shared commitment of both nations in the fight against terrorism.
“We are grateful to Pakistan for its cooperation in the arrest of Sharifullah and in bringing him to justice,” the statement read.
The suspect, an operative of Daesh-Khorasan (ISIS-K), was reportedly apprehended by Pakistani authorities based on intelligence from the CIA. He later confessed to scouting the attack route to Kabul Airport.
His arrest was publicly announced by US President Donald Trump, who thanked Pakistan and described Sharifullah as a “monster”, calling it a “huge day for the affected families.”
Sharifullah has since been extradited to the United States and presented before a court in Virginia. According to the US Justice Department, he also admitted to aiding other terrorist attacks, including the March 2024 Moscow Crocus City Hall attack. He allegedly provided video instructions on using AK-style rifles and other weapons to potential attackers.
The US Centcom statement reaffirmed Islamabad and Washington’s common goal of counterterrorism cooperation, marking a significant milestone in the fight against global terrorism.
