A Pakistani Major, Moiz Abbas, who gained notoriety for capturing Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019, has been killed in an encounter in South Waziristan. The encounter was with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The 37-year-old officer from Chakwal, who served in the elite Special Service Group (SSG), was killed along with Lance Naik Jibranullah. The Pakistan Army reported killing 11 TTP members in the operation. The TTP, once thought to be a creation of Pakistan, has become a significant threat. Major Abbas became known for his actions during the 2019 Balakot strike, when he captured Abhinandan Varthaman. After the Pulwama attack, the incident involving Abhinandan Varthaman occurred when his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down during a mission. He was captured by the Pakistani army after landing in their territory. The TTP’s origins trace back to 2007, emerging after the Pakistani army took action against the Lal Masjid. The current leader of the TTP, Noor Wali Mehsud, was trained in camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, with alleged backing from Pakistan’s ISI. The TTP also trained members to target the Shia Muslim community.
