A significant counterterrorism operation has led to the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, a notorious ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) militant responsible for planning the deadly Kabul Airport bombing in August 2021. The bombing, which occurred during the US evacuation from Afghanistan, killed 182 people, including 13 US troops. Sharifullah was apprehended in February 2025 near the Pak-Afghan border following an intelligence collaboration between Pakistani and US agencies.

Sharifullah had been previously held by Afghan forces before escaping during the chaotic Taliban takeover. While imprisoned, he masterminded the Abbey Gate bombing and maintained close ties with other ISIS leaders. His capture is seen as part of a broader intelligence-sharing initiative between Pakistan and the US.

US President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for their cooperation in locating Sharifullah, who is now being extradited to the US under a prisoner exchange agreement. His arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling the ISIS-K network, which has continued to operate within Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Following the Kabul bombing, the US launched drone strikes targeting ISIS-K members, though some of these strikes led to civilian casualties.