Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, a prominent officer in the Pakistan Army, was tragically killed during a significant assault by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in South Waziristan. Shah was previously in the spotlight in 2019 for his role in the capture of Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
On Tuesday, the TTP executed a series of coordinated attacks in the Sargodha and Kurram regions, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 Pakistani personnel. Social media reports convey conflicting accounts, with some stating that six soldiers, including Major Shah, lost their lives in the Sargodha clash alone.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released a statement confirming that Pakistani forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Sararogha on June 24, responding to reliable reports of militant activity. This operation led to the deaths of 11 terrorists and injured another seven. Major Shah, aged 37 and hailing from Chakwal, along with Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, aged 27 from Bannu, was killed during the fierce firefight.
Notably, Major Shah was recognized for his leadership in several critical operations against insurgent groups. The ISPR praised his commitment to national security, highlighting him as a figure of bravery in the line of duty. Ongoing clearance operations aim to eliminate remaining militant threats in the area.
Major Shah’s rise to prominence began in February 2019, when he claimed credit for capturing Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman following an aerial confrontation sparked by India’s airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp. This airstrike was a response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pulwama that cost the lives of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel.
The clash on February 27, 2019, saw Varthaman’s MiG-21 Bison shot down after reportedly downing a Pakistani F-16. He was held briefly in Pakistan before being released on March 1, 2019, which helped to lower tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Major Shah’s death coincides with a troubling resurgence of terror attacks throughout Pakistan, raising concerns over the country’s internal security protocols. The Pakistani government officially categorized the TTP as Fitna-al-Khawarij in July 2024, reflecting its intensified focus on the ongoing insurgent challenges faced within its borders.
