In late February, Pakistani security agencies arrested ISIS-K leader Muhammad Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, mastermind of the Abbey Gate attack at Hamid Karzai Airport, killing 13 U.S. troops. This significant arrest is regarded as a massive blow to the resurgence of terrorism across Pak-Afghan borders.

Sharifullah, who is a member of ISIS-K's Katiba unit, has been involved in several terrorist activities, including the U.S. Embassy Kabul Guard bombing, killing 10 embassy guards, a Moscow night club attack, and a Kerman, Iran attack in January 2024. Further, he was allegedly involved in rocket attacks on the Afghan presidential palace and the Canadian embassy in June 2016.

On March 2, 2025, Sharifullah confessed his involvement in alleged terrorist activities to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent; he was engaged in many operations carried out by ISIS-K. These included scouting for the 2021 Abbey Gate explosion, performing surveillance for the 2016 Canadian Embassy Kabul attack, and training the shooters responsible for the 2024 Moscow attack.

This is a significant milestone for Pakistan in counterterrorism, showcasing its commitment to eradicating terrorism. On March 5, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump also applauded Pakistan's efforts against terrorism. However, along with this, the Afghan intelligence agency GDI and news outlet Al Mirsad struggle hard through their propaganda to discredit the arrest. Pakistan Tekhrek e Insaf (PTI) also acts as a catalyst in the whole scenario to downplay the significance of the operation.

It has been portrayed in propaganda that Pakistan strategically orchestrated this arrest to strengthen relations with the Trump administration. The arrest demonstrates that ISIS-K maintains protected sanctuaries within Pakistani borders. In their propaganda effort, American and Pakistani intelligence agencies are intentionally misleading the current United States administration. Jafar had been under detention in Pakistan for an extended time before the official handover, indicating careful planning of the timing of the handover.

Contrary to propaganda, history is different. Shrifullah had been detained by the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) in 2019. He later became among the 2,000 ISIS-K militants who were freed when the Taliban forces captured Kabul on August 15, 2021. The prisoners were freed from Pul-e-Charkhi and Bagram jails. This timeline dispels charges of pre-planned timing or deception because he had managed to evade arrest before the chaotic turn of events in Afghanistan.

Muhammad Sharifullah, a high-ranking militant and mastermind of deadly attacks, is now downplayed by the Afghan Taliban. The Taliban denies Sharif's arrest, citing their security failures, as thousands of ISIS-K and TTP militants escaped during the August 15, 2021 prison break due to their incompetence.

The Afghan Taliban's negligence has led to the formation of a terrorist army, causing widespread chaos in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond. Pakistan is actively dismantling terrorist networks, but the Taliban's failures continue to fuel the ongoing threat.

Terrorism remains a binding force in U.S.-Pakistan relations; this demonstrates their continued cooperation against joint security threats. However, these collaborative efforts should need to extend beyond just two nations. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (I.E.A), which is forbidden to follow the Doha agreement, is still providing safe havens to terrorist outfits that sabotage regional peace and security.

No terrorist, whether commanding large networks or working independently, cannot be considered irrelevant. Their destructive operations provide valuable information about their possible danger. Sharifullah and similar individuals seriously jeopardize the stability of the region. For regional connectivity and development, peace is pivotal, and figures like Sharifullah create a rift in international relations. The I.E.A. must have to alienate themselves from these groups and should collaborate with Pakistan in combating terrorism. Through intelligence sharing and joint effort, nations can defeat the evils of terrorism, which is indeed a common enemy. The terrain in Afghanistan and the border area acts as a safe haven, but with strategy and collaboration, these elements cannot succeed in their ambitions. 

Abdul Mussawer Safi is a Pakistani international relations graduate keen on South Asian regional politics. He has been affiliated with think tanks such as Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (IPS), Pak- Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF), and South Asia Times (SAT). He Tweets at @MussawerSafi1999.