Washington (TDI): US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that the arrest of Daesh-K terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah has underlined the ongoing importance of US-Pakistan counter-terrorism cooperation.
Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, was arrested by Pakistani authorities and later extradited to the US based on intelligence provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Bruce lauded Pakistan’s role in securing Sharifullah’s capture.
“We extend our gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for their partnership in bringing Mohammad Sharifullah to justice,” she said, stressing that the arrest highlights the vital nature of continued collaboration in fighting terrorism.
Sharifullah is believed to have played a major role in the 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate during the US military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, an attack that killed more than 170 Afghans and thirteen US servicemen.
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The US Justice Department said that Sharifullah had confessed to scouting the airport’s route before the explosion, amid a crowd attempting to flee Kabul after the Taliban’s takeover.
The arrest also highlighted the role of critical intelligence exchanged between the Trump administration and Pakistani officials, which helped lead to Sharifullah’s confession.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt lauded the success of the operation, which she described as a testament to the strength of US-Pakistan collaboration.
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President Donald Trump hailed Sharifullah’s capture in a speech to Congress, declaring him “the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity” and expressing gratitude to Pakistan for its role.
In response, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the recognition and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to further collaboration with the US in counter-terrorism efforts.
