Aitzaz Hasan

Aitzaz Hasan, a brave student, who used to say I am always ready for my country will now always be remembered as hero of Pakistan. He was martyred on 6th of January, 2014 when he tackled a suicide bomber targeting his school in Hungu area. He made his mother cry, but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children.

The incident took place in Ibrahimzai, Hangu region of north-western Pakistan. There were almost 2,000 students in attendance at the time of the attack. Aitzaz, 15, was with his friends outside the school when they spotted a man wearing a suicide vest. He decided to confront and capture the bomber.

Aitzaz's friends had urged him not to confront the suicide bomber but he ignored their pleas and decided to confront the man with the intention of halting him. So he told them I am going to stop him. He is going to school to kill my friends. He wanted to capture this suicide bomber. He wanted to stop him. Meanwhile the suicide bomber detonated his vest and blasted himself which resulted in Aitzaz’s death.

Aitzaz sacrificed his life saving his school and hundreds of students and school fellows. The suicide bomber wanted to destroy the school and school students and it was Aitzaz who stopped him from the major destruction.

His family insist that rather than focus on the sorrow brought about by his death, they want to focus on their pride in his actions. He is a shaheed [martyr], a shaheed of whole nation.

Hangu is close to Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal regions, which have a strong Taliban and al-Qaeda presence. The region's residents are patriotic people but have to contend with difficult conditions. In order to cope with such conditions and tackle the fights and blasts needs courage like Aitzaz had. We salute his bravery.