Pak Soldier Who Captured India’s Fighter Ace, Abhinandan Varthaman, Killed

New Delhi:

The Pakistani special forces officer who claimed the capture of Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 Balakot airstrike has reportedly been killed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban-e-Pakistan, sources told NDTV Wednesday.

The TTP is an armed Islamist group operating along the Pak-Afghan border.

Major Syed Muiz, posted to the Pak Special Service Group’s 6th Commando Battalion, was reportedly killed while fighting in the Sarargoha area in Pak’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Sources said his death was claimed by the TTP, also called the ‘Pakistani Taliban’.

Group Captain Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, became a national hero after shooting down a Pak F-16 fighter jet – in a generation-older MiG 21 – during aerial combat on February 27.

Unfortunately, during the dogfight he flew over parts of Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan, and his plane was hit. The brave fighter pilot had to eject over territory controlled by the enemy.