Pakistan Army major who captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019 killed in gun battle with Taliban

Pakistani Army officer Major Moiz Abbas, who had captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back in 2019, has been killed in South Waziristan, according to reports in Pakistani media.

Abhinandan was captured by Pak army in February 2019, after his fighter jet crashed inside Pakistan while he was chasing enemy aircraft. He was taken into custody by the Pakistani army and later returned to India after diplomatic talks.

As per reports, Major Moiz Abbas died during a clash with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Monday.

The gunfight took place in Sargodha Khurram area of South Waziristan. TTP fighters had reportedly set up an ambush and attacked Pakistani soldiers. In that attack, two Pakistani officers were killed, including Major Abbas.