Major Moiz Abbas Shah, Pakistan Army Officer Who Claimed To 'Capture' IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthman, Killed In Encounter With TTP

Islamabad: Pakistan Army officer, Major Moiz Abbas Shah, who claimed to have captured Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Group Captain (then Wing Commander) Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, was reportedly killed in an encounter with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Tuesday. The encounter took place in the south Waziristan region.

Major Shah hit the headlines in Pakistan after he reportedly captured Grp Cpt Varthaman after the 2019 Balakot airstrikes by the IAF. The Pakistan Army officer hailed from Pakistan's Chakwal and was serving in the elite Special Service Group (SSG). he was fatally shot dead when he was leading an anti-terror operation.

Old Interview Of Major Moiz Abbas Shah:

Another Pakistan Army soldier, Lance Naik Jibranullah, was also killed in the operation. "On 24 June 2025, security forces carried out an operation in Saraogha area of ​​South Waziristan district. Major Moiz Abbas Shah and Lance Naik Jibran were killed in the operation," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement as quoted by Business Today.

As per the Pakistan Army, 11 TTP members were killed in the encounter with Pakistan Army.

On February 27, Pakistan jets entered the Indian air space a day after IAF's Balakot airstrikes. The IAF scrambled its fighter jets in response. The IAF polit engaged one of the Pakistan fighter jets. In the process he crossed the Line of Control (LoC). As per reports, grp Cpt. Varthaman shot down PAF’s F-16 before getting hit. He ejected from his jet and landed in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was released by Pakistan after 60 hours.