Does stagger count as TM removal for Death Star Galactic Challenge?

I think it counts, but of course it only counts after you damage the character that has the stagger debuff. I tried the Challenge with Veers, Piett, Gideon, Dark, and Range, Gideon TM removal first turn, killed everyone quickly and no feat. Then subbed Starck for Range. Same sequence except Starck stagger and Dark aoe to trigger the stagger, got the feat.