Trump administration shared critical intelligence with Pakistan: WH

WASHINGTON: In a demonstration of the strong partnership between the two nations, the Trump administration shared critical intelligence with Pakistani authorities, facilitating Sharifullah’s confession, Caroline Levitt, a White House spokesperson said.

Notably, Sharifullah confessed to the crime before Pakistani officials, highlighting the collaborative nature of the investigation.

The successful outcome of this counter-terrorism effort is a testament to the value of US-Pakistan cooperation in combating terrorism and promoting regional stability, Levit said. 

According to the White House spokesperson, “President Trump brought justice to the families of thirteen American heroes.” This development underscores the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure accountability for those responsible.

Earlier, the law enforcement in Virginia released a mugshot of the terror suspect who the Justice Department says confessed to scouting the attack route in 2021, the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, which left 13 service members dead. ISIS-K member Mohammad Sharifullah made his first federal court appearance in Virginia Wednesday on a charge of providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death.

He wore a light-blue jail jumpsuit and listened through headphones as an interpreter translated the proceedings, according to the Associated Press. His public defender declined to comment after his court appearance, which ended with him being held until at least a detention hearing set for Monday.

Mohammad Sharifullah is a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), the Justice Department says. Sharifullah was extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday night to “face American justice,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “3 and 1/2 years later, justice for our 13,” Patel added on X. President Donald Trump announced Sharifullah’s capture during his address before a joint Congress, saying he was “pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity.”

Sharifullah confessed to scouting the attack route and training gunmen involved in a terrorist attack near Moscow last year, according to a Justice Department affidavit released this week.