Pakistani boy posthumously declared hero for saving school from suicide bomber

15-year-old Aitzaz Hassan, grabbed the suicide bomber to stop him from detonating the bomb. He died of his wounds in hospital later.

16:04 10 January 2014

15-year-old Aitzaz Hassan, a Pakistani boy who died after stopping a suicide bomber from detonating the bomb at a school has been praised as a national hero. He is also being recommended for a top civilian honour for saving the lives of his classmates.

Nasir Khan Durrani, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief of police said: "The suicide bomber tried to enter the school where hundreds of students were studying. Aitzaz Hassan sacrificed his life and stopped the bomber with bravery and courage.”

His father Mujahid Ali Bangash told AFP he felt not sadness but pride at his son's death.

"I am happy that my son has become a martyr by sacrificing his life for a noble cause."

"Many people are coming to see me but if they try to express sympathy, I tell them to congratulate me instead on becoming the father of a martyr," he said.

On social media, the boy was praised and was called a pride of Pakistan.

"Sacrifice of young teenager from Hangu Shaheed Aitzaz who gave his life to save others from a suicide bomber will not go in vain InshaAllah," wrote Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf party and former cricketer.