WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed gratitude to Pakistan for capturing a key terrorist linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, which claimed the lives of 13 US service members and around 170 Afghans.
Speaking during his joint session of Congress, Trump recalled the devastating Abbey Gate attack, carried out by Daesh militants, as one of the darkest moments in America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing,” Trump stated, during what became the longest congressional address by any US president.
The attack on August 26, 2021, occurred amid the chaotic evacuation from Kabul, as thousands of Afghans and foreign nationals attempted to flee following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
While the details of the suspect’s capture remain undisclosed, Trump’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts marks a rare moment of appreciation in an otherwise complex US-Pakistan relationship.
US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Cooperation
Pakistan has long been a key player in regional security, often facing pressure from the US and Western allies to take stronger action against terrorist networks. The latest development may indicate renewed counterterrorism collaboration between the two nations.
Security analysts believe this arrest could also strengthen diplomatic ties and potentially lead to greater intelligence-sharing efforts between Washington and Islamabad.
However, experts also warn that terrorist networks in the region remain a persistent threat, requiring continued vigilance and international cooperation.
The US Department of Defense and Pakistani authorities have yet to release further details regarding the militant’s identity, his role in the attack, or the circumstances of his capture.
