Pakistan and U.S. Renew Ties with ISIS-K Arrest: A Counterterrorism Win
Pakistan’s arrest of ISIS-K commander Sharifullah strengthens U.S. ties, signaling a renewed counterterrorism alliance after the 2021 Kabul attack.
A Milestone in a Fragile Alliance
On a crisp March day in 2025, Pakistan’s military proudly announced a breakthrough that rippled across international headlines: the capture of Mohammad Sharifullah, a shadowy Afghan national accused of orchestrating the devastating 2021 Kabul airport bombing. This operation, executed along the rugged Afghan border, wasn’t just a tactical victory—it marked a pivotal moment in the rekindling of a once-strained partnership between Islamabad and Washington. Hours later, U.S. President Donald Trump took the stage before Congress, his voice booming with gratitude toward Pakistan for delivering a key figure in one of the deadliest attacks on American troops in recent memory.
For a U.S. audience still haunted by the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, this arrest offers a rare glimmer of justice. Yet, beneath the surface, it’s a story of shifting geopolitics, fragile alliances, and a shared fight against a relentless enemy: the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch, or ISIS-K. How did this moment come to pass, and what does it mean for the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations? Let’s dive into the unfolding narrative.
A Dramatic Capture at the Border
The operation unfolded in the rugged terrain where Pakistan meets Afghanistan—a porous frontier long plagued by militancy. Sharifullah, identified by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a top-tier ISIS-K commander, had evaded capture since the August 2021 bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport. That attack, which claimed 13 American lives and at least 170 Afghan ones, remains a searing wound for both nations. As U.S. forces scrambled to evacuate amid the Taliban’s swift takeover, ISIS-K exploited the chaos, unleashing a suicide bomber at Abbey Gate.
Pakistan’s military, acting on precise intelligence—reportedly shared by the CIA—launched a daring raid to apprehend Sharifullah. By Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 2025, a U.S. aircraft lifted off from Balochistan, near Ormara, with the suspect in custody, bound for American soil. FBI Director Kash Patel later confirmed the handover on X, posting a photo of agents standing triumphantly before the plane. For Pakistan, it was a chance to showcase its counterterrorism chops; for the U.S., it was a step toward accountability.
Trump’s Applause and Sharif’s Pledge
In a nearly two-hour address to Congress—the longest of its kind—President Trump didn’t mince words. “I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster,” he declared, his remarks punctuated by applause. He painted Sharifullah’s capture as a victory for the families of the 13 fallen U.S. service members, a promise kept from his campaign trail criticisms of the Biden administration’s Afghanistan exit.
Across the globe, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seized the moment to reinforce Pakistan’s commitment. “We will continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and stability,” he said in a statement, echoing Trump’s praise with gratitude of his own. Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices—over 80,000 lives lost to terrorism in recent decades—positioning the arrest as proof of Islamabad’s resolve. It was a diplomatic dance, one that underscored a mutual need to rebuild trust after years of tension.
The Kabul Attack: A Lingering Scar
To understand the weight of this moment, rewind to August 26, 2021. The scene at Kabul’s airport was one of desperation: thousands of Afghans and Americans clamored to escape as the Taliban tightened its grip. Amid the chaos, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. troops and scores of civilians. ISIS-K, an offshoot of the Islamic State thriving in Afghanistan’s instability, claimed responsibility.
The U.S. Justice Department has since charged Sharifullah with “providing and conspiring to provide material support” to ISIS-K, alleging he played a central role in planning the attack. Court documents unsealed in Virginia reveal a chilling portrait: recruited in 2016, Sharifullah scouted routes for the bomber and had ties to other deadly operations, including a 2016 Kabul embassy attack and a Moscow nightclub assault in 2024. His arrest, then, isn’t just symbolic—it’s a strike against a seasoned operative with blood on his hands.
A Partnership Reborn?
The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has long been a rollercoaster, marked by peaks of cooperation and valleys of distrust. The 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan strained ties further, with Washington accusing Islamabad of tacitly supporting the Taliban—a charge Pakistan denies. Meanwhile, India, Pakistan’s arch-rival, has deepened its influence with the U.S., leaving Islamabad on shaky footing.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Wilson Center, sees Sharifullah’s arrest as a turning point. “U.S.-Pakistan ties have been unsettled since the Afghanistan exit,” he told me in an interview. “This is a significant development—a signal that both sides are willing to reset the clock.” A Pakistani security official, speaking anonymously, agreed, noting “excellent cooperation” with Trump’s administration. The arrest, he said, was part of broader joint efforts, a testament to renewed intelligence-sharing.
Yet, not everyone is convinced this is a full thaw. Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa argues Pakistan is playing a strategic card. “Islamabad is leveraging regional security concerns to engage Trump, who otherwise has little interest in Pakistan,” she said. “For now, it’s a signal: ‘We’re here, and we’re reliable.’”
The Bigger Picture: ISIS-K and Regional Stability
ISIS-K remains a persistent threat, exploiting Afghanistan’s power vacuum under Taliban rule. A 2024 United Nations report estimated the group’s strength at 4,000-6,000 fighters, with attacks surging across the region. Sharifullah’s capture deals a blow, but it’s not a knockout. The Taliban, meanwhile, stayed silent on the arrest—a stark contrast to their 2023 claim of killing an ISIS-K leader, suggesting their grip on security is far from ironclad.
For the U.S., the operation reflects a shift under Trump’s second term. CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly raised Sharifullah’s case in his first call with Pakistan’s ISI chief, signaling a focus on actionable results. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reinforced this momentum, telling U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Walsh on March 4 that Islamabad seeks a “broad-based” partnership with Trump’s team.
A Step Forward, Not a Finish Line
The arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah is more than a headline—it’s a testament to what Pakistan and the U.S. can achieve when their interests align. For American readers, it’s a moment of closure for a dark chapter, a sign that justice, though delayed, isn’t denied. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to reclaim its role as a vital counterterrorism ally, proving its worth on a global stage.
But this isn’t the end of the story. ISIS-K still lurks, and the U.S.-Pakistan alliance remains a work in progress. As Trump and Sharif navigate this renewed partnership, the question lingers: Can they sustain this momentum to tackle the root causes of extremism? For now, take this as a win—but keep your eyes on the horizon. The fight’s far from over.
Source: (Reuters)
(Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of March 5, 2025, and reflects the author’s interpretation of events. Details may evolve as new developments emerge, and opinions expressed are those of the author or cited experts, not necessarily reflective of official positions. Always consult primary sources for the latest updates.)
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