A federal jury in Virginia convicted Sharifullah of providing material support to the ISIS‑K affiliate, but could not agree that he directly contributed to the August 26, 2021 bombing that claimed 13 U.S. lives and roughly 160 Afghans—an outcome that set the stage for the judge’s 20‑year sentence.
Judge Anthony Trenga described him as a "dedicated terrorist" and noted his lack of remorse, citing victim impact statements from grieving parents who stood a few feet from the defendant as they recounted their sons’ sacrifice—an emotional moment that underscored the human toll of the attack.
The bombing unfolded as U.S. troops evacuated Hamid Karzai International Airport; a lone suicide bomber detonated an improvised device near Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. service members. Prosecutors argued Sharifullah had scouted routes to the airport, a role that tied him to the planning phase, while defense lawyers maintained no evidence linked him to the bomber himself.
Sharifullah’s record includes claims of wanting to "catch and kill the crusaders" after 9/11, and alleged involvement in a March 2024 Moscow concert‑hall assault that killed about 140 people—details prosecutors used to paint a portrait of a long‑time extremist. His defense team countered that his statements were made under duress in Pakistani custody and that he was never an ISIS‑K leader.
With the sentence in place, the judge will now order his transfer to a federal penitentiary for the term; prosecutors anticipate an appeal filing within weeks, while families of the victims await the next chapter in the pursuit of justice.