IS-K Operative Faces Charges in US Court After Extradition

Mohammad Sharifullah, an Afghan citizen accused of orchestrating the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, appeared before a federal court in Virginia following his extradition from Pakistan.

The Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport killed 13 US service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

US Charges Against Sharifullah

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has charged Sharifullah with “conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death.”

A statement released during the court hearing confirmed that Sharifullah was apprehended by Pakistani special forces along the Pakistan-Afghan border. Before his extradition, he spent several days in Pakistan, where he was interrogated by US officials.

During the court appearance, Sharifullah spoke through an interpreter, acknowledging the charge against him. Flanked by three US Marshals, he responded to questions about his rights and legal representation. The judge ordered his continued detention until a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday.

Potential Sentence for Sharifullah

If convicted, Sharifullah could face life imprisonment in a US federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing sentencing guidelines and other legal factors. The prosecution is pushing for his continued detention pending trial.

US Acknowledges Pakistan’s Counter-Terror Cooperation

During a State Department briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tammy Bruce thanked Pakistan for its role in Sharifullah’s capture and extradition.

“We extend our gratitude to the government of Pakistan, we really do. We have a common interest in fighting terrorism,” she stated.

Bruce emphasized that counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan remains a key priority for the US in tackling regional and global threats.