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Pak major, who captured Abhinandan Varthaman during 2019 showdown, killed by Pakistan Taliban: Reports

Major Syed Muiz was posted to the Pak Special Service Group's 6th Commando Battalion in the Sarargoha area in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) read more A file photo of Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman after his release by the Pak Army The Pakistani officer who claimed to have captured Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 Balakot strikes has reportedly been killed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP). Indian media reported Wednesday (June 25), citing sources, that Major Syed Muiz was posted to the Pak Special Service Group's 6th Commando Battalion in the Sarargoha area in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) when he was gunned down during fighting. Pakistani Taliban or the TTP claimed the death of the Pakistani major, said sources. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, earned national hero status after shooting down a Pakistani F-16 jet using an older MiG-21 during intense aerial combat on February 27, 2019. During the dogfight, he crossed into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where his plane was hit, forcing him to eject over enemy territory. Captured by the Pakistani Army, he spent nearly 60 hours in captivity before he was released by Islamabad due to pressure exerted by India and global community. Then-Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced Abhinandan Varthaman's release as a 'gesture of peace'. In November 2021, he was promoted to Group Captain and honoured with the Vir Chakra for his bravery. The Balakot airstrikes were India's response to the Pulwama terror attack, where a suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, trained by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, drove a Maruti Suzuki Eeco van into a security convoy, killing 40 soldiers. India retaliated with a dozen Mirage jets crossing 20km past the Line of Control into Pakistani territory, targeting and destroying Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in an operation lasting less than 20 minutes.