Alleged ISIS-K member Trump mentioned in Afghanistan bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops ordered detained
WASHINGTON – The alleged member of ISIS-K charged with orchestrating the attack on U.S. troops evacuating from Afghanistan in 2021, which President Donald Trump mentioned in his speech to Congress, was ordered detained Wednesday at his initial court appearance.
Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” was charged Sunday with being a member of Islamic State-Khorasan for providing and conspiring to provide support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. If convicted, Sharifullah could face the death penalty.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter in eastern Virginia ordered Sharifullah to be confined by the U.S. Marshals Service until his detention hearing Monday.
Trump credited Pakistan with helping bring Sharifullah “to face the swift sword of American justice.” Sharifullah was flown to Dulles International Airport near Washington on Tuesday and has an initial court appearance Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia.
"Three and a half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing during the disastrous and incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan," Trump said. “I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster."
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement his country "will continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and stability.”
The charges stem from a suicide bombing Aug. 26, 2021, while American and other military forces were evacuating from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, the main entry point to the airport where thousands of civilians were gathered for evacuation, according to federal officials. The bomb killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and about 160 civilians.
Sharifullah waived his rights against self-incrimination during an FBI interview Sunday and allegedly said he acknowledged helping prepare for the attack by scouting a route near the gate, according to U.S authorities. Sharifullah checked for law enforcement at U.S. or Taliban checkpoints and said he knew al-Logari, according to U.S. authorities.
During the interview, Sharifullah allegedly acknowledged supporting ISIS-K in other lethal attacks:
- On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a bomb that killed at least 10 embassy guards and multiple civilians and wounded other soldiers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. Sharifullah allegedly conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the attack area, according to court records.
- On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russia, killing about 130 people. Sharifullah allegedly told the FBI he shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles and other weapons to would-be attackers, two of whom he knew, according to court records.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic Marines,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel posted a picture of agents on X standing in front of the plane he arrived on.