Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, the Pakistan Army officer who gained notoriety in 2019 for claiming credit for the capture of Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, was killed on Tuesday in a major assault by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in South Waziristan.
According to sources, the TTP launched coordinated attacks in the Sargodha and Kurram areas, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 Pakistani personnel. Conflicting reports on social media, however, suggest that six soldiers, including Major Shah, were killed in the Sargodha clash alone.
A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that Pakistani forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Sararogha on June 24 following credible reports of militant presence. During the operation, 11 terrorists were killed and seven others injured. Major Shah, 37, from Chakwal, and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, 27, from Bannu, were killed in the fierce exchange of fire.
Major Shah was praised by the ISPR for leading several key operations against insurgent elements. His leadership in this latest mission was hailed as an example of bravery and commitment to national security. Clearance operations continue in the area to eliminate remaining threats.
Shah came to prominence in February 2019 when he publicly claimed to have captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during an aerial dogfight that followed the Balakot airstrikes. The incident occurred after India launched a precision strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training facility in Pakistan in retaliation for the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.
On February 27, 2019, a Pakistani counteroffensive led to a dramatic aerial engagement, during which Varthaman’s MiG-21 Bison was downed after reportedly shooting down a Pakistani F-16. Varthaman was captured and held briefly in Pakistan before being released and repatriated on March 1, an event that de-escalated rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Major Shah’s death comes amid a resurgence in terror attacks across Pakistan and increasing scrutiny of Islamabad’s internal security strategy. The Pakistani government, which officially designated the TTP as Fitna-al-Khawarij in July 2024, continues to face growing insurgent threats within its borders.
