Trump announces terrorist capture, thanks Pakistan for help
President Donald Trump has announced the capture of Mohammad Sharifullah, the terrorist responsible for the deadly suicide bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He credited Pakistan for its role in the arrest.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Trump stated, “We have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.”
The 2021 Kabul airport attack, which Sharifullah allegedly orchestrated, resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. military personnel and around 170 Afghan civilians.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel confirmed the development on X, stating, “Tonight, the FBI, DOJ, and CIA have extradited one of the terrorists responsible for the murder of the 13 American soldiers at Abbey Gate during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.” He emphasized that this was a step toward justice for the fallen troops and their families.
During his speech, Trump praised Patel for reforming the FBI and preventing it from being weaponized against him and his political opponents. Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Trump also commended, received a standing ovation from Congress members.
Trump criticized former President Joe Biden for mishandling the Afghanistan withdrawal, arguing that the chaotic exit emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. “When Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, ‘Well, maybe this is my chance.’ That’s how bad it was,” Trump remarked.
According to Axios, the CIA had been tracking Sharifullah’s movements and shared intelligence with Pakistan, which deployed an elite unit to capture him near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Islamabad informed U.S. officials about the arrest ten days ago, leading to discussions between Patel, CIA Director John Ratcliff, and Pakistani intelligence officials.
Analysts see Sharifullah’s capture as a signal that Pakistan is willing to strengthen ties with the Trump administration. Under Biden, relations between Washington and Islamabad had cooled due to Pakistan’s perceived reluctance to combat terrorism.
