Pakistan Army Major Who Claimed Abhinandan Varthaman's Capture Killed In Encounter With TTP
Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah had shot to limelight in 2019 after claiming credit for the capture of IAF Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman during an aerial dogfight
Major Moiz Abbas Shah, the Pakistani officer who had claimed to have captured Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, was killed on Tuesday in a major assault by the terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The attacks on the Pakistani Army in South Waziristan's Sargodha and Kurram areas come at a time when Pakistan is facing growing unrest with terrorists in its own territory, despite its history of supporting terror groups.
According to sources, the TTP's attacks resulted in the deaths of 14 Pakistani personnel, including Major Shah. Meanwhile, some pro-Pakistan social media accounts have claimed that six personnel, including Shah, were killed in the Sargodha clash.
According to a report by Dawn, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that Pakistani security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on June 24, 2025, in Sararogha following reports of the presence of militants.
The statement claimed that during the operation, troops targeted the militant hideout, killing 11 individuals and injuring seven others.
The ISPR confirmed that Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, from Chakwal, and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, 27, from Bannu, were killed in the exchange of fire. Major Moiz, who was leading the mission, was praised for his bravery and his role in multiple operations against the group. The statement added that clearance operations were ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
The Dawn reported that in July 2024, the Pakistani government officially labeled the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna-al-Khawarij Khariji —a term meaning outcast.
What Brought Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah To Limelight In 2019
Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah rose to attention in 2019 after claiming credit for capturing Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman during an aerial dogfight following Indian strikes on terror bases in Balakot. The capture followed a fierce aerial clash on February 27, during which Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was shot down after he brought down a Pakistani F-16. He was later returned to India by Pakistan on the night of March 1, 2019.
The dogfight occurred a day after Indian Air Force jets carried out an airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training facility in Balakot. The strike came in response to the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. On February 27, Pakistan launched a counteroffensive, attempting to strike Indian military installations in response to the Balakot airstrike.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
9 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Don't be surprised if India responds again to provocation: Tharoor
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion here, he also said that on the 50th anniversary of Emergency, politicians should dedicate themselves afresh to the Constitution and the values of our founding fathers rather than scoring political points. Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to tell their hosts that India acted with restraint and responsibility, Tharoor said during a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association. Even Colombia, which had issued a statement earlier expressing condolences for those killed in Pakistan, withdrew it, he noted. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self-defence, but they actually commended the restrained manner of our response, that we could have been much I would say that, by and large, they were all very understanding," said the Congress leader. "But I would usually end by conveying that they should not be surprised that if this (terrorist attack) happens again, we too would do this again, and we wanted their understanding in advance. And I believe we left everybody in no doubt about our feelings and our intentions," he added. India signaled from the start that it was not interested in protracted conflict or starting a war, Tharoor further said. "What we were interested in was retribution against terrorists, and we only hit terrorist camps, terrorist facilities, terrorist bases. And from our point of view, that was it," he later told media persons at the venue. India's position was that "if Pakistan hits, we hit back, if it stops, we stop, so that the day they signaled that they would stop, India was willing to stop from the very start, and no one needed to persuade India to stop. "That's what the prime minister has also said. On the other hand, perhaps Pakistan needed persuasion, we don't know what the Americans may have said to Pakistan. If Pakistanis feel they stopped because Americans wanted them to, good for them, that's not a problem for us," he added. The delegation to five countries led by Tharoor was one of the seven multi-party delegations India dispatched to 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to highlight Pakistan's links to terrorism. Speaking about the Emergency imposed by the erstwhile Congress government 50 years ago, Tharoor said everyone is very clear that it was "a bad period in our history because of a lot of suspensions (of liberties)," and then prime minister Indira Gandhi herself called elections and gracefully accepted their outcome. "I think all of us should use this anniversary to re-dedicate ourselves to the Constitution, to the values of freedom, to the values that our founders fought for and established," he said, adding, "I hope everyone uses this 50th anniversary not to play political games and score political points, but rather to re-dedicate ourselves to those ideals..." On his recent Russia visit, Tharoor said it was an opportunity to touch base with his counterparts and meet his "old friend", Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "By and large our message (on Operation Sindoor) has been consistent. Fortunately the delegation sent by our government had already been there and met these people, so my task was not a difficult one to reinforce the message," he said. Russia has been India's old and trusted friend and it is always good to maintain these relationships, the Congress leader added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United News of India
13 minutes ago
- United News of India
Amarnath Yatra: BSF enhances security grid along Indo-Pak International Border
Abdullian (R S Pura), June 28 (UNI) As Shri Amarnath Yatra is all set to start from July 2 with flagging off of first batch from Yatri Niwas Jammu, the Border Security Force has heightened the security grid all along the Indo-Pak International Border falling under Jammu Frontier. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag off first batch of Shri Amarnath pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas in Jammu on July 2. BSF officials said that after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, unprecedented security arrangements have been made along the border for this year's Amarnath Yatra. "The Border Security Force has increased patrolling all along the International Border in Jammu Frontier," they added. "Few days are left for the start of yatra and BSF has made elaborate arrangements with additional troops of BSF including women personnel and the border has also been kept under surveillance," they said. "Our troops are patrolling round the clock and keeping close watch on every movement along the border," they said. Besides hi-tech gadgets, drones are also maintaining surveillance on border besides any unwanted and suspicious movement, they stated. Inspector General BSF Jammu Frontier, Shashank Anand in his maiden press conference on May 27 here at Jammu Frontier had said that BSF is vigilant and maintaining high alertness along the border. Enemy may strike again with fresh infiltration attempts and cross-border firing but the troops are on high alert and maintaining vigil all along the International Border and the Line of Control alongwith the Indian Army and other security agencies, IG BSF had said. 'BSF is 24x7 completely alert on the international border. Our endeavour is that in the coming times, especially when the Amarnath Yatra is going to start, all security related arrangements should be in place and there will be no lowering of guards on the border,' IG Anand had said. Meanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 30 during his visit to Poonch district had said that the government is committed to support and empower security forces in their mission to safeguard national borders. "Government is committed in supporting and empowering the security forces in their mission to safeguard national borders," Shah reiterated while interacting with BSF troops. He highlighted the significant impact of destroying more than 118 Pakistani posts and surveillance equipment in just three days actions that left Pakistan struggling to gather intelligence for an extended period. UNI VBH GNK
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Jammu: Search to track down 3 Jaish ultras enters third day
Security forces continued to scan Karur Nullah (rivulet) and adjoining jungles in Basantgarh area of Udhampur district to track down three Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists for the third consecutive day on Saturday, said officials. The army has also pressed into service its sniffer dogs to trace the terrorists. (HT File) Searches have been intensified amid aerial surveillance but there has been no contact with the remaining ultras, said a senior police officer. The army has also pressed into service its sniffer dogs to trace the terrorists, he added. A Pakistan-based JeM terrorist identified as Haider alias Jabbar alias Maulvi was killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday. However, three of his associates remain trapped in the forested area of the Basantgarh belt. Amid strengthening of the multi-tier cordon, the search operation, widened by the joint operation group, resumed this morning with the backing of drones and sniffer dogs, he said. The cordon has been further strengthened with additional reinforcements to eliminate the remaining terrorists of the group, the officials added. Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti said the terrorists are reported to be still within the cordoned off area. He said that out of the four terrorists, one — the commander of the group — has been killed. The group had been tracked for over a year. Two terrorists affiliated with JeM from this group were eliminated in Basantgarh in September last Thursday, the four terrorists were found hiding near Karur Nullah in the Bihali high-altitude belt and were engaged by the joint search party led by the Army's Para Commandos, resulting in an encounter. Supported by overground workers (OGWs), the terrorists had been moving from one area to another using forests and natural caves to hide, officials said. Five OGWs have been arrested over the past several months in the belt for providing food and shelter to the terrorists. It is also believed that a local terrorist, who had returned from Pakistan after several years, is actively supporting the group. The search by troops led to the recovery of the body of the killed terrorist along with ammunition, explosive material, and cash, the officials said. Basantgarh lies on a traditional infiltration route used by Pakistani terrorists who enter from the International Border in Kathua and move via the higher reaches to Doda and Kishtwar districts in Jammu region and further into the Kashmir Valley. It has witnessed several encounters and terror incidents in the past. On April 25, Havaldar Jhantu Ali Shaikh of the Army's 6 PARA was killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Basantgarh area. On April 9, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Jopher-Marta belt of Basantgarh in Udhampur district. On September 11 last year, two terrorists affiliated with JeM were killed in an encounter in the upper reaches of Basantgarh.A CRPF inspector was killed in another encounter with terrorists at Dudu on August 19, July 11, 2024, the Sang police post in Udhampur's Basantgarh came under attack by terrorists but was foiled by alert cops. On April 28, 2024, a village defence guard, Mohammad Sharief, was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Basantgarh.
