The United States confirmed the arrest of the mastermind behind the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan.
The United States thanked Pakistan and is desperately waiting for the culprit to administer justice.

US confirmed the arrest of the culprit:

On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that the mastermind behind the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan had been arrested. The suspect was captured with Pakistan’s help and is now being sent to the United States to face justice. The bombing killed 13 US service members and around 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Trump’s announcement in Congress:

In his first address, Trump shared the news to Congress. He did not provide further details about the arrest. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later confirmed that the suspect, Sharifullah, was a senior commander of the IS-Khorasan (IS-K) group.

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In a rare public acknowledgement, Trump thanked Pakistan for its role in the operation. He said, “I want to thank especially the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster.” Trump also spoke about his connection with the families of US victims.

Pakistan confirms terrorist’s arrest:

Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the arrest of Sharifullah on his X social media platform. He said in a statement that Sharifullah is an Afghan national. He was captured in an operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Moreover, he expressed gratitude to Trump for acknowledging Pakistan’s role in counterterrorism. The prime minister stressed that Pakistan has always played a significant role in denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism.

Sharifullah’s arrest:

According to US media, the arrest resulted from close cooperation between the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The operation was carefully planned and executed. Sharifullah was also recognised as Jafar. He was a top commander of IS-K. He was accused of planning and overseeing the Abbey Gate bombing, thus making him a high-value target for US counterterrorism agencies.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe raised the matter with ISI chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik during a phone call. The issue was further discussed at the Munich Security Conference in February. After tracking Sharifullah for months, the CIA pinpointed his location. Pakistani intelligence then deployed an elite unit to capture him near the border.

US-Pakistan relations:

Pak-US relations will be strengthened with the arrest of Sharifullah. Trump’s public praise for Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies highlights the strong ties between the two countries’ security forces. This move could ease tensions between Washington and Islamabad.

Strengthening military ties:

The arrest of Sharifullah is a diplomatic victory for Pakistan’s military. After years of friction following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the operation reinforces Pakistan’s importance as a key security partner.

Impact on domestic politics in Pakistan:

The development may also affect Pakistan’s internal political landscape. The military’s role in the operation strengthens its position as the main player in foreign relations. It is a setback for opposition leader Imran Khan and his supporters, especially in the US.

Many PTI-affiliated groups in the US had lobbied the Biden administration to support Khan’s return to power. But their efforts were ignored. PTI activists campaigned for Trump in the hope that Pakistan’s military would ease its stance on Khan. But Trump’s speech made no mention of Khan or Pakistan’s political situation.