Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 25: Major Syed Muiz, a Pakistani special forces officer who had claimed credit for the capture of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 Balakot airstrike episode, has reportedly been killed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to NDTV sources.

Muiz, posted with the elite 6th Commando Battalion of Pakistan’s Special Service Group (SSG), was killed during a clash in the Sarargoha area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has reportedly taken responsibility for his death.

The officer had gained attention following the aerial dogfight on February 27, 2019, when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying a MiG-21 Bison, shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet. However, his aircraft was hit during the engagement, forcing him to eject over Pakistan-occupied territory.

Abhinandan was captured by Pakistani forces and held for nearly 60 hours before being released under immense diplomatic and international pressure. His act of bravery was later honoured with the Vir Chakra, and in 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Group Captain.

The Balakot airstrikes were launched by India in response to the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their convoy. The attacker, Adil Ahmad Dar, was associated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

India’s swift retaliation saw Mirage-2000 fighter jets cross the Line of Control and bomb terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan. The operation lasted less than 20 minutes and marked a significant escalation in Indo-Pak hostilities.