Suspect Accused of Planning Deadly Kabul Bombing Faces US Charges

In his recent address to Congress, former President Donald Trump announced the capture of a major suspect in the infamous Abbey Gate bombing.

Key Takeaways

President Donald Trump announced the capture of a key suspect in the Abbey Gate bombing.
The apprehended individual, Mohammad Sharifullah, was detained with international cooperation.
The Abbey Gate bombing led to the death of 13 American service members and about 170 Afghan citizens.
Sharifullah will face justice in the U.S. for charges related to his alleged role in the attack.
International collaboration marked a significant effort in counterterrorism activities.

A Suspect Arrested and Extradited

During a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump announced the capture of a suspect linked to the deadly Abbey Gate bombing in August 2021. While he did not reveal the name of the suspect in his speech, a Department of Justice press release later identified the suspect as Mohammad Sharifullah, also referred to as “Jafar.”

This devastating attack at Kabul’s airport resulted in the death of 13 American service members. Trump confirmed that Sharifullah was arrested in a cooperative international effort and will be brought to the United States to face justice for the charges against him.

In his speech, Trump acknowledged the role of the Pakistani government in this successful arrest, calling it a vital step in the fight against terrorism. Trump extended his gratitude to Pakistani authorities for their collaboration. FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed that the CIA, FBI, and DOJ worked together to secure the extradition of Sharifullah.

Behind the scenes: Pakistan detained alleged plotter of Abbey Gate bombing based on CIA intel. https://t.co/g1uIFc463L

— NationalSecurityNews (@NSNWorldwide) March 5, 2025

Details of the Accused: Mohammad Sharifullah

Known by the alias “Jafar,” Mohammad Sharifullah has been charged with providing material support to ISIS-K, resulting in death. The Department of Justice detailed Sharifullah’s alleged involvement, highlighting his admissions of aiding in the orchestration of the deadly Abbey Gate attack. Further revelations indicated Sharifullah’s involvement in prior attacks, including a 2016 bombing in Kabul and a recent 2024 attack in Moscow.

If he is convicted, Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The case is spearheaded by a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Trial Attorneys from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

Cooperative Efforts in Counterterrorism

Utilizing intelligence obtained from the CIA, Pakistani authorities detained Sharifullah, paving the way for his extradition to the United States. This international collaboration signals a potential re-engagement between U.S. and Pakistani intelligence services, setting a possible precedent for future cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.