Major Moiz Abbas Shah, Known for Capturing Indian Pilot Abhinandan, Killed in TTP Attack

Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, a Pakistan Army officer who became prominent in 2019 for his involvement in capturing Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, was killed on Tuesday in an assault by militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in South Waziristan.

Sources indicate the TTP executed coordinated attacks in the Sargodha and Kurram regions, leading to the deaths of at least 14 Pakistani personnel. However, social media reports suggest that the clash in Sargodha alone resulted in the deaths of six soldiers, including Major Shah.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement confirming that Pakistani forces launched an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Sararogha on June 24 following credible intelligence of militant presence. In the ensuing operation, 11 terrorists were killed, and seven were injured. Among the casualties on the Pakistani side were Major Shah, 37, from Chakwal, and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, 27, from Bannu.

Major Shah was commended by the ISPR for his leadership in several important operations against insurgents. His role in the latest mission was highlighted as a testament to his bravery and dedication to national security. Efforts to clear the area of remaining threats are ongoing.

In February 2019, Shah gained recognition after claiming the capture of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during an aerial confrontation that followed the Balakot airstrikes. The incident happened after India conducted a precision strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Pakistan in response to the Pulwama attack that resulted in the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel.

On February 27, 2019, a Pakistani counterattack led to an aerial skirmish in which Varthaman’s MiG-21 Bison was shot down after allegedly downing a Pakistani F-16. Varthaman was captured and detained briefly in Pakistan before being released and repatriated on March 1, an event that helped reduce escalating tensions between the two nuclear powers.

Major Shah’s death occurs amid a rise in terrorist activities across Pakistan, prompting increased scrutiny of Islamabad’s internal security policies. The Pakistani government, which labeled the TTP as Fitna-al-Khawarij in July 2024, continues to confront growing insurgent threats within the country.