Washington (Web Desk): Following up President Donald Trump’s praise of the Pakistani government for arresting and extraditing the terrorist involved in the 2021 Afghanistan bombing that killed 13 American soldiers, the State Department has also expressed its “gratitude” to Pakistan for the help it extended to the US.
“We extend our gratitude to the government of Pakistan for their partnership in bringing Muhammad Sharifullah (the terrorist) to justice,” the Department’s Spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, told her maiden press briefing on Thursday.
Ms. Bruce noted that the US and Pakistan share common interests in fighting terrorism.
“We have a common interest, obviously, in fighting terrorism. The arrest of this terrorist also illustrates that US-Pakistan cooperation on counter terrorism remains vitally important.”
In his State of the Union address on Wednesday, President Trump thanked Islamabad for its help in capturing a Sharifullah, an Afghan national, who was linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
The attack, which occurred during the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, claimed the lives of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice recently revealed that Sharifullah admitted to surveilling the airport route before a deadly bombing took place, targeting a crowd trying to flee Kabul after the Taliban's takeover.
The arrest showcased the significant role played by intelligence shared between the Trump administration and Pakistani officials, which ultimately led to Sharifullah’s confession.
Karoline Leavitt, a White House spokesperson, praised the operation as a demonstration of the strength of US-Pakistan collaboration.
President Donald Trump also expressed his gratitude, calling Sharifullah the key figure behind the devastating attack, and thanked Pakistan for its involvement in bringing him to justice.
In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the recognition and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further cooperation with the US in the fight against terrorism.
Sharifullah faces serious charges, including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, resulting in fatalities. Although he has appeared in court in Alexandria, he has yet to enter a plea, with his next appearance scheduled for Monday.
This operation underscores the continuing importance of the US-Pakistan alliance in addressing terrorism and upholding regional security.
