WEB DESK: The United States State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce has thanked Pakistan again for its role in handing over ISIS operative Mohammad Sharifullah over to the US, saying that the credit for his arrest goes to Pakistan. Addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Tammy Bruce said that Pakistan-US cooperation is crucial in counterterrorism efforts.
Sharifullah, a key leader of ISIS-K in Afghanistan and Pakistan, planned and coordinated the suicide attack that killed 13 US service members and 170 Afghan civilians at Kabul Airport which is known as ‘Abbey Gate’ bombing.
How Pakistan captured the Abbey Gate bomber
“The fight against terrorism is in the mutual interest of both Pakistan and the US and it is in the shared interest of Pakistan and the US to combat terrorism. The arrest of terrorist Sharifullah is highly significant for counterterrorism efforts and aligns with Trump’s commitment to protecting Americans,” she said.
Tammy Bruce added that the information about Sharifullah has been shared with the Department of Justice, adding that former president Joe Biden mishandled the Afghanistan withdrawal.
“President Trump will continue the “America First” policy, and efforts are being made to end the Russia-Ukraine war,” she said, adding that Marco Rubio is enthusiastic about advancing the President’s foreign policy.
Sharifullah first confessed his crimes before Pakistani authorities: White House
In a separate press briefing, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said that Sharifullah admitted to his crimes to Pakistani authorities first and later to the US officials who visited Pakistan to bring him to the US. She added that Sharifullah also confessed to carrying out attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia.
Accused IS militant Sharifullah appears in US court over Kabul airport attack
“President Trump informed the Gold Star family about the arrest before his speech,” she stated.
Leavitt also reiterated that Joe Biden mismanaged the withdrawal process, and had three years to capture Sharifullah.
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Wednesday thanked Pakistan for apprehending the Kabul airport bomber. In a joint address to the Congress President Trump said the US remains committed to fighting religious extremist organisations.