This operation could potentially restore U.S. military and economic assistance to Pakistan, which is currently facing financial instability.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe noted that Sharifullah arrived in Washington on the evening of March 4, 2025, following his capture.

The ISIS Khorasan group, responsible for the bombing, had previously claimed the lives of 170 Afghans and 13 American soldiers.

During court proceedings, Sharifullah appeared in a light-blue jail jumpsuit and will remain in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for March 10, 2025.

President Donald Trump announced the capture of Muhammed Sharifullah, a senior planner in the Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, was arrested by Pakistani authorities on the border and has confessed to his involvement in the Abbey Gate attack and a March 2024 attack in Moscow linked to ISIS-K.

Trump expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for their assistance in apprehending the suspect, who is now en route to the United States to face justice.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have resumed intelligence cooperation, which had been strained in recent years.

Sharifullah's capture is seen as a critical development in addressing the aftermath of the attack and bringing justice to the families affected.

While the arrest may temporarily disrupt IS-K operations, the group remains a significant threat, necessitating enhanced intelligence-sharing and military efforts from Pakistan.

Experts believe this operation indicates strong military-to-military cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan, despite limited political engagement.

Trump shared that he spoke with the families of the fallen service members, who expressed a mix of happiness and sorrow upon hearing the news of the suspect's capture.