Kabul Airport Blast
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani government for apprehending the terrorist responsible for the deadly 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
The attack, which took place during the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and around 170 Afghan civilians.
Speaking during his address to a joint session of Congress, Trump recalled the devastating impact of the Abbey Gate bombing, which occurred as thousands of Afghans desperately tried to flee Kabul following the Taliban’s takeover. “Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing,” Trump stated, emphasizing the tragedy that marked the final days of America’s longest war.
During his speech, which lasted an unprecedented one hour and 49 minutes—the longest in US presidential history—Trump made a significant announcement. “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that 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,” he declared, prompting a round of applause from lawmakers.
Trump then took a moment to acknowledge Pakistan’s role in the capture. “I want to thank the Government of Pakistan for helping apprehend this monster. This is a very huge day for the affected families,” he said, referring to the families of the fallen US troops. “This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, whom I actually got to know very well, whose children were murdered. What a horrible day.”
Who is the Terrorist?
According to reports from an international news agency, the terrorist in question, Muhammad Sharifullah—also known as Jafar—is a senior leader of the terrorist group Daesh. His capture was reportedly the result of an intelligence-sharing operation between Pakistani agencies and the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Sources indicate that Sharifullah played a leading role in planning the August 26, 2021, bombing. Following his apprehension by Pakistani intelligence agencies, he is now being transferred to the United States, with arrangements in place for his arrival as early as Wednesday.
A US official, speaking to the news agency, confirmed that Sharifullah was one of the masterminds behind the attack. Reports further reveal that after taking office in January 2025, President Trump instructed CIA Director John Ratcliffe to prioritize the capture of those responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing.
Ratcliffe reportedly raised the issue with senior Pakistani officials immediately after assuming his role. He later met a high-ranking Pakistani security official at the Munich Security Conference in February to discuss the matter further. However, when approached for a comment, the Pakistani embassy in Washington declined to provide a statement.
Trump Criticizes Biden Over Afghan Withdrawal
During his speech, President Trump also took the opportunity to criticize his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
While he clarified that he was not against the withdrawal itself, he strongly condemned the way it was executed. “Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country […] such incompetence was shown,” Trump said, calling the withdrawal “disastrous and incompetent.”
His remarks reignited the debate over the chaotic events of August 2021, when the Taliban swiftly regained control of Afghanistan, triggering a desperate evacuation effort at Kabul airport. The Biden administration had previously defended its actions, arguing that Trump’s agreements with the Taliban had significantly limited their options.
In 2023, a review by Biden’s administration partially blamed the previous Trump administration for the disorganized evacuation, claiming that their decisions had severely constrained the US government’s ability to conduct a more orderly withdrawal.
While the Biden White House acknowledged that the evacuation should have begun earlier, they attributed the delays to flawed assessments from the Afghan government, military, and US intelligence agencies.
With the capture of the terrorist behind the Kabul attack, President Trump has framed this development as a significant milestone in his administration’s commitment to delivering justice for American lives lost. The arrest marks a moment of renewed counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan, highlighting the ongoing fight against extremist threats.
