A high-ranking militant linked to the deadly 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul has been arrested with assistance from Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.
The attack, which occurred during the chaotic withdrawal of American forces, claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and around 170 Afghan civilians.
Speaking in Congress, Trump confirmed the suspect’s capture but withheld specific details. However, he extended his gratitude to Pakistan, stating, “I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif identified the suspect as Mohammad Sharifullah, a senior commander of IS-Khorasan (IS-K), and confirmed his arrest near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In a statement, Shehbaz emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism, highlighting the sacrifices of over 80,000 citizens and soldiers.
According to reports, the arrest resulted from close cooperation between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The CIA had been tracking Sharifullah for months before sharing intelligence with Pakistani authorities, who then launched an operation to apprehend him.
Following his capture, discussions between intelligence officials led to his swift extradition. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on X that the suspect was en route to the U.S., stating, “One step closer to justice for these American heroes and their families.”
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