Ninth-grader Aitazaz Hassan Bangash was on his way to the Ibrahimzai
School on Monday in the Hangu district of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province when the bomber, dressed in a school uniform, asked him where
the school was, the teen's cousin told CNN. Aitazaz and his cousin,
Musadiq Ali Bangash, became suspicious, Musadiq said.
"The
other students backed off, but Aitazaz challenged the bomber and tried
to catch him. During the scuffle, the bomber panicked and detonated his
bomb,"
Rajab Ali, who also witnessed the bombing,
told CNN that he saw Aitazaz throw a large stone at a boy trying to
enter the school. The blast happened when Aitazaz grabbed him, he said.
Aitazaz
and the bomber died at the scene. Witnesses say the blast injured two
other people. Iftikhar Ahmed, a Hangu district police officer, confirmed
the details of the attack.
Hangu is a troubled district bordering
Pakistan's tribal areas. It is rife with sectarian violence, with
attacks against Shia and Sunni Muslims.
"It was a great sacrifice to save the lives of hundreds of both Shia and Sunni students, who were in morning assembly," Musadiq said.
Aitazaz
is survived by his father, Mujaad Ali Bangash, a laborer; his elder
brother, Mustajab Hassan Bangash, a student in Pakistan; and three
sisters. Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to
receive a posthumous award for his bravery.
"He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.
Pakistanis
are comparing him to Malala, the schoolgirl shot by the Taliban in
October 2012 for promoting education for all boys and girls.
Pakistanis
on social media are praising Aitazaz's bravery, with people on Twitter
asking everyone to use hastags #onemillionaitzazs or simply #aitzaz and
calling for his heroism to be recognized with an award.
Culled From CNN News
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/56149.html
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment
leave a comment