Moiz Abbas Shah, Pakistani Officer Linked to Abhinandan’s 2019 Capture, Killed in Taliban Clash

Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, a Pakistan Army officer who was part of the team that detained Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, was one of two soldiers killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in South Waziristan on Tuesday. The operation was aimed at members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the Pakistan military has referred to as “Fitna al Khwarij,” according to Dawn.

In their press statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that 11 terrorists had been killed and seven wounded in the clash. The clash occurred in the Sararogha area of the South Waziristan district, following intelligence inputs reaching the army of militants being in the area.

Major Shah, 37, from Chakwal, had led the operation and “made the supreme sacrifice while leading his troops from the front,” ISPR stated. Lance Naik Jibranullah, 27, from Bannu, was also lost in the exchange of gunfire.

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Maj Shah was part of the team that detained then-Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019.

The 2019 aerial dogfight and Abhinandan’s capture

This was after the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir, when 40 Indian paramilitary were killed, after which India, on February 26, carried out airstrikes against a terrorist training camp in Balakot.

The following day, Pakistani fighter jets made an attempt to strike Indian military installations and an aerial dogfight ensued. Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew a MiG-21 Bison as India's counter strike from the 51 Squadron based out of Srinagar, was shot down. He ejected across the Line of Control (LoC) and was subsequently captured.

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His capture received national attention in both countries. While back-channel diplomacy was undertaken, tensions escalated. While Pakistan attempted to bargain with Abhinandan's capture, India provided a stern warning, and everything was back to normal very quickly. On February 28, Imran Khan announced Abhinandan's release as a "gesture of peace".

Abhinandan returned home 58 hours later after receiving his release, crossing over the Attari-Wagah border where upon he received a hero's welcome. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated he made India proud.

The Sararogha operation also saw civilian casualties. Two women travelled in a pickup from Khamrang to Wana were killed when their vehicle was caught in the crossfire. Five others, including two women, were injured. The incident was also confirmed by the Deputy Commissioner of Lower South Waziristan Nisar Khan who said that investigations by police had commenced, according to Dawn.

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