Donald Trump announces capture of Afghan terror attack mastermind, Pakistan thanks him for acknowledging its 'help'

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump's announcement to Congress late Tuesday about the capture of most-wanted terrorist Mohammad Sharifulla – mastermind of the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing outside Kabul airport that killed 13 American military service personnel and 170-odd Afghans – came with a surprise pat on Pakistan's back for its role in the operation.

"Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice," Trump said in his first address to Congress since returning to the White House for a second term.

"I want to thank especially the govt of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster," he said of the prolonged search culminating in forces tracing Sharifulla to a hideout on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

According to US media reports, CIA and Pakistani intelligence worked closely to find Sharifulla, whom Pakistan described as a "top-tier operational commander" of the proscribed Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP). The terrorist outfit had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that followed the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan that year.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif was quick to highlight what his govt sees as an opportunity to regain the US's faith as a strategic partner following years of friction, notably after America's exit from Afghanistan and Washington’s growing closeness with India.

Within the country, it gives the Sharif govt an advantage over former PM Imran Khan's Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), whose Pakistani-American supporters in the US had campaigned for Trump in the 2024 presidential election. They would possibly be disappointed by Trump's speech to Congress, which included no reference to Imran, PTI or Pakistan's democratic process.

Sharif separately announced Sharifullah's arrest through a post on X. "We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan's role and support in counter terrorism efforts across the region," he wrote.

"As is well-known, Pakistan has always played a critical role in counter terrorism efforts aimed at denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups the space to operate against any other country."

In neighbouring India, the reference to "any other country" could well spark a debate for a different reason.