Our Bureau
Islamabad
Pakistan’s Major Moiz Abbas, who captured IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, was killed in Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this Tuesday. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters performed ambush attacks that resulted in the deaths of over a dozen security personnel along with Major Moiz Abbas, from the 6 CDO battalion (SSG).
Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended Major Abbas’ funeral on Wednesday, June 25th. Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also offered their condolences to the late Major and praised him on his fight against the operatives of the Tehreek-e–Taliban Pakistan also referred to as ‘Fitna-Al-Khwarij’ by Pakistan.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the death of Major Abbas and stated the soldier fought with valour and led the troops against the TTP fighters. They issued a statement that stated that Pakistan has lost a brave soldier. They called it the ultimate sacrifice.
The ISPR also reported that they lost another brave soldier in the attacks. Lance Naik Jibran Ullah lost his life in the attacks by the TTP. They also stated that the security forces killed around 11 Khwarij that were sponsored by India and around 7 were injured in the altercation.
The statement said, “He fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice along with another brave son of the soil, Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, during the intense fire exchange. During the operation, our troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and 11 Indian-sponsored Khwarij were killed and seven got injured by the security forces.”
Major Abbas was the one who captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019. Abhinandan had taken down a F-16 during an air combat with Pakistani fighter jets after the Balakot strikes but in the midst of it his jet got hit as well which led to the jet landing on Pakistani soil. Abhinandan was captured and held captive for 3 days before being released on March 1.
