ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the suspect arrested in connection with the 2021 bombing at Kabul’s airport is a senior commander of ISIS-K and an Afghan national.
Sharif’s announcement followed remarks by President Donald Trump, who thanked Pakistan for its role in capturing the suspect during his congressional address.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sharif identified the individual as Sharifullah and said he had been apprehended near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, a region long known for its porous frontiers and militant activity.
“Pakistan has always played a crucial role in international efforts to eliminate terrorist safe havens and prevent the activities of militant groups,” Sharif said. “We remain firmly committed to combating terrorism in all its forms.”
Sharif also emphasized Pakistan’s own losses in the fight against terrorism, noting that more than 80,000 civilians and security personnel had been killed in attacks and counterterrorism operations over the years.
The announcement came after Trump, in a speech before Congress, described the arrest as a major step toward accountability for the Abbey Gate bombing, which was among the deadliest attacks during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Three and a half years ago, ISIS killed 13 American service members and hundreds of others at the Kabul airport,” Trump said. “We have captured the person behind that attack.”
He praised Pakistan’s cooperation, calling the arrest a “momentous day” for the families of the victims.
“I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster,” Trump said. “This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, whom I got to know very well, most of them, whose children were murdered, and for the many others—over 42—who were so badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan.”
Following Trump’s remarks, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the suspect had been transferred into U.S. custody.
“As President Trump just announced, I can report that 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,” Patel wrote on X.
He added: “One step closer to justice for these American heroes and their families.”
The August 26, 2021, bombing at Abbey Gate, which was claimed by ISIS-K, underscored the volatility of the final days of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, fueling criticism of the withdrawal’s execution. The attack led to renewed concerns about the group’s growing threat in the region.
Trump also used the moment to reiterate his criticism of President Biden’s handling of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, arguing that the chaotic withdrawal had emboldened American adversaries, including President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
“What a horrible day,” Trump said. “Such incompetence was shown that when Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, ‘Wow, maybe this is my chance.’ That’s how bad it was. It should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people.”
Sharif, for his part, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working with the United States to combat terrorism and promote regional stability.
“Our determination to eradicate terrorism remains unwavering,” he said.
