Pakistani Officer Involved in Abhinandan Varthaman’s 2019 Capture Killed in Clash with TTP
Pakistani Army Major Moiz Abbas Shah, known for his role in the 2019 capture of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, was killed in a fierce encounter with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to an official statement from the Pakistan Army, the operation was intelligence-based and targeted a TTP hideout. During the confrontation, 11 militants were killed and seven others injured. The Army referred to the militants as “Indian-sponsored Khwarij,” a term often used to describe extremist groups. Major Shah was one of two Pakistani personnel who lost their lives during the mission.
The operation reflects growing unrest in the region as Pakistani forces intensify crackdowns on terror groups. Major Shah gained public recognition for his involvement in the February 2019 capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, whose MiG-21 Bison was downed during an aerial dogfight following the Balakot airstrikes by India in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
Abhinandan’s brief capture across the Line of Control (LoC) became a pivotal moment in India-Pakistan relations, ending with his release as a goodwill gesture by Pakistan.
The death of Major Shah underlines the persistent threat posed by the TTP in Pakistan’s tribal belt, even as geopolitical tensions remain high in the region. The Pakistani military has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism, regardless of its origins.
