The United States has commended Pakistan for its assistance in capturing Mohammad Sharifullah, the prime suspect behind the deadly 2021 Kabul Airport attack. The acknowledgment from US Central Command (US Centcom) highlights Islamabad’s growing significance in international counterterrorism efforts and its strategic partnership with Washington.
Sharifullah, a Daesh-Khorasan operative, was arrested with the help of CIA intelligence and later extradited to the US. He has since appeared before a Virginia court, where the US Justice Department confirmed his involvement in multiple terror plots.
The suspect confessed to scouting routes for the Kabul suicide bombing that claimed 170 Afghan lives along with 13 US troops. He also admitted to aiding attackers in the March 2024 Moscow Crocus City Hall attack.
The arrest was publicly announced by then-US President Donald Trump during a joint session of Congress, calling it a significant win in the fight against terrorism. As Pakistan and the US continue to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, this development reaffirms Islamabad’s role as a key player in global security efforts.