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Trump announces apprehension of top terrorist in Kabul airport bombing, will face ‘swift American justice’

March 5, 2025 | | Print Article

A surprise announcement from the president cleared the path for the “swift sword of American justice” against a terrorist allegedly involved in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.

For the majority of President Joe Biden’s tenure, Gold Star families not only had to suffer the loss of those killed at the Abbey Gate but an administration averse to accountability as well. Now, only weeks into President Donald Trump’s return, the commander-in-chief’s address to Congress included confirmation that “the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity” was not only captured but is en route to the United States.

According to the press release from the Department of Justice, Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, was arrested and is being transported to the Eastern District of Virginia to face charges of “providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death” for his alleged involvement in the Aug. 26, 2021 bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“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. And I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster,” expressed Trump. “This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, who I actually got to know very well, most of them, whose children were murdered…What a horrible day.”

“I spoke to many of the parents and loved ones, and they’re all in our hearts tonight. Just spoke to them on the phone,” continued the president, who participated in a memorial marking the third anniversary of the tragedy. “We had a big call… 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.”

FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were at the airport when Sharifullah arrived with the former posting on X, “That time you delivered the sword of justice for the American people–thank you for your incredible leadership @AGPamBondi and @JohnRatcliff. So proud of the men and women of the FBI, DOJ, and CIA. Justice for [Abbey] Gate–terrorist Jafar officially in US custody.”

At greater length, he’d said in a statement, “The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism.”

“ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now, thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice,” added Patel. “The FBI will never forget the loss of these American heroes. We will continue to hunt down those who viciously murdered our warriors. We will find all responsible and bring them to justice.”

Likewise, Bondi stated, “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”

According to Axios, shortly after his confirmation in January, Ratcliffe had been instructed by Trump to prioritize capturing those responsible for the terrorist attack.

Similarly pleased with the president’s announcement, Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif issued his own statement on X that read in part, “We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counter terrorism efforts across the region, in the context of Pakistan Security Forces’ recent apprehension of ISKP’s top tier operational commander Shareefullah, who is an Afghanistan National.”

“The wanted terrorist was apprehended in a successful operation conducted in Pakistan-Afghan border region,” he noted.

Sharif went on to state, “We remain steadfast in our resolve and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestation.”

In addition to the attack that took place during Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Sharifullah was said to have admitted to involvement in a 2016 bombing in Kabul that claimed the lives of ten embassy guards as well as civilians at the Canadian embassy, along with the attack at Crocus City Hall in Russia that left roughly 130 people dead.

The service members killed that day included U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31;  Sgt. Johanny Rosairo Pichardo, 25; Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23; Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22; Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23; Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22; Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20; Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20; Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20; Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, and Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, along with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, and U.S. Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22.

Kevin Haggerty
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