The recent capture of Muhammad Sharifullah, a senior ISIS-K operative whose arrest was announced by US President Donald Trump, is not just another counterterrorism success - it is a powerful reminder of the Taliban’s failures in securing Afghanistan. Sharifullah, a mastermind behind some of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years, was finally apprehended in a joint intelligence operation between the United States and Pakistan. His name may not be widely known, but his bloody trail of destruction certainly is. From the devastating Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport in 2021 to the Moscow and Kerman bombings in 2024, his crimes have left hundreds dead and countless lives shattered.

For those who lost loved ones to his attacks, this arrest is a long-overdue reckoning. But instead of acknowledging it as a crucial step in fighting terrorism, the Taliban and their allies have gone on the defensive, trying to downplay Sharifullah’s role and spin conspiracy theories. Their reaction is not just dishonest; it’s telling. It reveals their insecurity, their desperation to cover up their own failures, and their unwillingness to confront the very terror networks they once claimed to oppose.

The Taliban’s biggest mistake

If there is one event that truly enabled ISIS-K’s resurgence, it was the chaotic Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021. As they stormed the city, one of their first moves was to open the gates of Pul-e-Charkhi and Bagram prisons, setting free thousands of criminals and extremists, including over 2,000 ISIS-K fighters. Among them was Muhammad Sharifullah. Within days, these hardened terrorists were back in action, rebuilding their networks and preparing for new attacks.

The Taliban have tried to justify this blunder as an unavoidable consequence of war, but the damage was already done. The very people they freed went on to carry out attacks inside Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond. The Taliban’s incompetence created a fresh wave of violence - violence that they now struggle to contain. Had they taken responsibility for securing these prisoners, Sharifullah and his ilk would never have been in a position to kill again.

Now that he has been captured, the Taliban and their sympathizers are trying to dismiss him as a "low-level" militant. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sharifullah was not just another foot soldier; he was a key figure in ISIS-K’s operations, responsible for multiple high-profile attacks, including targeting embassies, presidential palaces, and international civilians. If he were truly insignificant, why are the Taliban working so hard to discredit his arrest?

Afghanistan porous borders

In the days following his capture, a familiar pattern emerged. Instead of celebrating the arrest of a dangerous terrorist, pro-Taliban voices began pushing a series of false narratives. Some claimed Pakistan had "orchestrated" the arrest as a political stunt to strengthen ties with US President Trump. Others suggested that ISIS-K’s presence in Pakistan was proven, conveniently ignoring the fact that the terrorist was arrested near the Pak-Afghan border - a direct consequence of Afghanistan’s porous and poorly managed borders.

This reaction is nothing new. The Taliban have long preferred to shift blame rather than confront their own failings. The truth is that Pakistan has been fighting terrorism for decades, often at great cost, while the Taliban have allowed militants to thrive under their rule. Pakistan’s intelligence played a crucial role in tracking down Sharifullah, and its cooperation with the U.S. made the arrest possible. Yet, instead of appreciating these efforts, certain factions continue to spread misinformation, hoping to deflect attention from their own security lapses.

ISIS-K remains active

Since taking power, the Taliban have tried to portray themselves as a responsible governing force, claiming they would not allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorism. But actions speak louder than words. ISIS-K continues to launch deadly attacks inside Afghanistan, and Sharifullah’s arrest proves that its network remains active. If the Taliban were serious about counterterrorism, they would be working with regional partners instead of dismissing arrests like this one.

The truth is, they are unwilling - or perhaps unable- to dismantle these terror networks. The 2021 prison break was not just a mistake; it was a defining moment that showed the world what the Taliban’s priorities were. They freed terrorists instead of stopping them. They are now left dealing with the consequences, yet they refuse to accept responsibility.

Breeding ground for extremism

Sharifullah’s arrest is a victory, but it is not the end of the fight. The fact that he was free for this long is a damning indictment of how terrorism has been allowed to fester under the Taliban’s watch. While Pakistan and the U.S. continue to dismantle terrorist networks, Afghanistan remains a breeding ground for extremism, thanks to weak leadership and poor security management.

The Taliban can either acknowledge their failures and work toward real counterterrorism measures, or they can continue to spread propaganda while the situation worsens. But they should remember this: the world is watching. And every time a terrorist like Sharifullah is brought to justice, it exposes just how deep their failures run.

 (The author is a visiting faculty at the Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). She holds an MS in Strategic Studies from Air University Islamabad. Views expressed are personal. She can be reached at saranazeer2@gmail.com )