Pakistani officer who captured Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019; Major Moiz Abbas Shah killed in militant attack

NEW DELHI: Major Moiz Abbas Shah, the Pakistani officer who captured Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, was killed recently in a militant attack in Pakistan. The attack was reportedly carried out by the terrorist organisation Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to reports, 14 Pakistani soldiers, including Major Shah, were killed in the incident. However, some Pakistani media outlets are claiming that the death toll was six. The encounter took place yesterday in the Sararogha region of Pakistan.

On February 27, 2019, Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistani forces after he shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet. Major Moiz Abbas Shah was among the officers present during the capture. Abhinandan was flying a MiG-21 when he engaged the enemy aircraft. After his plane was hit and crashed, he ejected and landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir using a parachute. He was then taken into custody by the Pakistani military under the leadership of Major Shah. Following intense diplomatic pressure from India, Abhinandan was released and returned to India shortly thereafter.