Justice is finally coming for the families of 13 brave American service members who lost their lives during the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. President Trump announced that the terrorist mastermind behind the deadly Abbey Gate bombing has been captured and is headed to American soil.
At a Glance
- Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISIS-K commander linked to the 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bombing, has been extradited to the U.S.
- The attack killed 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghans during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal
- Sharifullah was captured in a joint CIA-Pakistani intelligence operation near the Afghanistan border
- Trump announced the terrorist’s capture during a joint address to Congress, thanking Pakistani officials
- Sharifullah is charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization resulting in death
Trump Announces Captured Abbey Gate Mastermind
During a joint address to Congress, President Trump revealed that American forces have successfully apprehended one of the key terrorists responsible for the devastating 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. The attack, which occurred during the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
“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,” Trump said.
A Coordinated Intelligence Operation
Mohammad Sharifullah, identified as a regional ISIS-K commander and one of the masterminds behind the bombing, was captured in a joint operation between Pakistani intelligence services and the CIA. The operation took place in the rugged Pakistan-Afghanistan border region known for harboring terrorist elements. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed his country’s participation in the successful capture.
“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. One step closer to justice for these American heroes and their families,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
According to court documents, Sharifullah conducted surveillance for ISIS-K and helped prepare the suicide bomber for the deadly Abbey Gate attack. He allegedly admitted his involvement to FBI agents after being read his Miranda rights. The terrorist is also linked to a 2016 suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul that killed 10 Embassy guards and possibly the March 2024 attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall that left approximately 130 dead.
Emotional Closure for Grieving Families
The extradition represents a significant step toward justice for the families of the fallen American service members. President Trump revealed he had personally spoken with many of the families about the capture of the terrorist responsible for their loved ones’ deaths.
“I spoke to many of the parents and loved ones, and they’re all in our hearts tonight. I spoke to them on the phone. We had a big call. Every one of them called, and everybody was on the line, and they did nothing but cry with happiness. They were very happy, as happy as you can be under those circumstances. Their child, brother, sister, son, daughter was killed for no reason whatsoever,” Trump said.
The extradition comes nearly three years after President Biden vowed revenge following the attack. “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” Biden had said. Despite this promise, it was under Trump’s administration that the terrorist was finally brought to justice. The development highlights the ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, which has provided shelter to al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups while enabling ISIS-K to expand its deadly reach.