Wed Mar 05 11:35:39 UTC 2025: **US Thanks Pakistan for Arrest of Kabul Bombing Mastermind, but Analysts Call for Broader Relationship Reset**

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The United States has publicly thanked Pakistan for its assistance in apprehending the alleged mastermind behind the deadly August 2021 Kabul airport bombing. US President Donald Trump announced the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, a commander with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), during a Congressional address. Sharifullah, an Afghan national, was captured in an operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the arrest and expressed gratitude for the US acknowledgment of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. A Pakistani government source indicated strong US-Pakistan cooperation, stating that Pakistani security forces acted on US intelligence to apprehend Sharifullah. The suspect was subsequently extradited to the US.

The arrest comes amidst a series of recent suicide bombings in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with suspected ISKP involvement. The August 2021 Kabul airport bombing killed nearly 200 people, including 13 US soldiers.

While the successful operation highlights ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan, analysts suggest the broader relationship needs a significant reset. Despite strong military-to-military ties, the political relationship remains strained, particularly since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Experts point to the need for a wider-ranging dialogue to address underlying issues and rebuild trust. The arrest, while significant, is viewed as a limited step towards a more comprehensive revitalization of the bilateral relationship.

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