Marine testifies on Kabul airport bombing tragedy trial

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – In a deeply emotional testimony before a U.S. federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, former Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart recounted the final moments she spent with her friend and bunkmate, Sgt. Nicole Gee, during the chaotic evacuation of Kabul Airport in August 2021.

The testimony is part of the ongoing trial of Mohammad Sharifullah, whom U.S. prosecutors allege played a key role in planning the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate during the final stages of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Lainhart described how she was assisting Afghan civilians, including a woman and her two young children, when the explosion occurred on August 26, 2021. The blast, carried out by a suicide bomber linked to Islamic State–Khorasan (ISIS-K), killed 13 U.S. service members and nearly 170 Afghan civilians.

Visibly emotional and testifying from a wheelchair due to severe spinal injuries, Lainhart told the court she initially believed Sgt. Gee had survived the blast, only later learning that her friend was among those killed. Her service dog, Ollie, remained beside her throughout the testimony.

Prosecutors allege Sharifullah helped facilitate the attack by scouting a route for the bomber. However, his defense team argues he is not responsible, claiming his statements to investigators were made under duress after he and his family were allegedly detained.

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To support its case, the prosecution also presented testimony from journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, who previously interviewed Sharifullah in prison. She told the court he expressed extremist views and spoke of justification for violence against non-believers, including Americans.

The courtroom also heard harrowing accounts from survivors, investigators, and medical examiners who described the aftermath of the explosion—shrapnel damage, destroyed infrastructure, and the devastating injuries suffered by the victims.

Family members of the fallen service members were present throughout the proceedings, many visibly emotional as details of the blast were recounted. After her testimony, Lainhart was embraced by relatives of the victims, one of whom presented her with a medal in gratitude for her service.