Pak Army’s Major Moiz, who captured Abhinandan, martyred in Waziristan operation

Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah of the Pakistan Army, who captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan alive in 2019, was martyred during a counter-terrorism operation against Khawarij militants in South Waziristan.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs in Sararogha, South Waziristan District.

Security forces successfully raided a militant hideout, killing 11 terrorists and injuring 7 others. These militants were operating with the support of the Indian proxy, Fitna-al-Khwarij.

During the intense exchange of fire, Major Moiz Abbas Shah and Lance Naik Jibran Ullah embraced martyrdom. The ISPR noted that Major Moiz was leading the operation from the front and had a distinguished record of bravery in several counter-terrorism missions.

Read: ISPR confirms 40 civilians, 11 soldiers martyred in Indian assault

Shaheed Major Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, hailed from Chakwal, while 27-year-old Shaheed Lance Naik Jibran Ullah was a resident of Bannu district.

Major Moiz had become a national hero on February 27, 2019, when Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian fighter jets violating the Line of Control (LoC). One of the pilots, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured alive.

In a later interview, Major Moiz recounted the moment of Abhinandan’s arrest.

“As we reached the crash site, Pakistani citizens had already surrounded him and were beating him. When he saw our army uniforms, he immediately surrendered and said, ‘Save me’,” he recalled.

Major Moiz said his team promptly provided first aid to the injured pilot, took him into custody, and moved him to safety. The pilot was later handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border as a goodwill gesture by the Pakistani government.