The United States Central Command (US Centcom) has expressed its appreciation to Pakistan for its assistance in the arrest of Sharifullah, the primary suspect in the 2021 Kabul Airport attack. The US emphasized the shared commitment between the two nations in the fight against terrorism.
In a post on US Centcom’s Urdu handle on X, the statement read, “We are grateful to Pakistan for its cooperation in the arrest of Sharifullah and for working with the US to bring him to justice.” Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, is an operative of Daesh-Khorasan and was apprehended in Pakistan based on intelligence provided by the CIA, according to reports.
Sharifullah has confessed to scouting the route for the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, which resulted in the deaths of 170 Afghans and 13 US troops. His arrest was announced by US President Donald Trump, who thanked Pakistan for capturing the “monster,” describing it as a significant moment for the families of the victims.
US Centcom highlighted that Pakistan and the US share a “common interest in the war on terrorism.” Sharifullah has since been presented before a Virginia court, where he also admitted involvement in other attacks, including the March 2024 Moscow Crocus City Hall attack.
The US Justice Department disclosed that Sharifullah had provided instructions on using AK-style rifles and other weapons to potential attackers through video communications. This arrest underscores the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and the US in addressing global security threats.
