ALEXANDRIA, VA – Mohammad Sharifullah, an alleged key figure behind the August 2021 suicide bombing at Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, has been extradited to the United States and appeared in federal court in Virginia on Wednesday.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) described Sharifullah as an ISIS-K operative responsible for orchestrating the attack that killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and approximately 160 civilians near Hamid Karzai International Airport.
During a brief court hearing, Sharifullah responded softly to a magistrate judge’s questions, confirming through an interpreter that he understood the charge against him:
Conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
Extradition and Arrest Details
Sharifullah was captured by Pakistani special forces along the Pakistani-Afghan border, according to an intelligence official familiar with the operation. He was extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday night, with FBI Director Kash Patel confirming his transfer.
At an undisclosed location, FBI agents interviewed Sharifullah, where he allegedly admitted to involvement in multiple terror attacks, including:
- The August 2021 Abbey Gate bombing
- A 2016 suicide bombing targeting the U.S. Embassy in Kabul that killed 10 guards and injured Canadian embassy personnel
- A March 2024 attack on a Moscow concert venue that resulted in more than 130 deaths
The suspect is linked to more than 30 terror attacks, according to Pakistani intelligence officials.
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Mohammad Sharifullah: Role in ISIS-K Operations
According to a criminal complaint, Sharifullah played a direct role in planning and executing the Abbey Gate attack, including:
- Conducting surveillance along the attacker’s route
- Transporting the suicide bomber to the target area
- Assisting in the detonation process
His involvement extended beyond Afghanistan, as he allegedly prepared suicide bombers for attacks and coordinated their movements in multiple operations.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
During Wednesday’s court appearance, Sharifullah was flanked by three U.S. Marshals as the magistrate judge scheduled a detention and preliminary hearing for Monday.
Federal prosecutors will seek to keep him in detention pending trial.
Taliban’s Role in His Release
Sharifullah was reportedly imprisoned in Afghanistan from 2016 to 2021 but was released by the Taliban during the final days of the Afghan government’s collapse.
As U.S. authorities prepare their case, Sharifullah’s trial is set to be a landmark case in the fight against global terrorism.
