Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, is a senior planner in the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) who orchestrated the Abbey Gate attack at Kabul airport in August 2021. He admitted to helping prepare for the attack, including scouting routes near the airport.

Sharifullah was captured in a joint operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistani officials played a crucial role in his arrest, which was facilitated by intelligence sharing between Pakistan and the U.S.

Sharifullah is charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The arrest highlights robust counterterrorism cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan, despite strained overall relations. It demonstrates that both countries continue to collaborate closely on security issues.