TEMPO.CO, Ibrahimzai - A young Pakistani boy performed a heroic act to save his school from a suicide bomber’s attack. The boy, later identified as Aitzaz Hasan, managed to knock down the bomber right before he entered the school’s premises. As reported by BBC on Friday, January 10, 2014, the 15-year-old boy died instantly along with the bomber when he detonated the bomb.
According to witnesses, at the time of the incident, Hasan was seen playing with his friends in the school yard. That was when he spotted a person, later identified as the bomber, running towards his school. The chubby boy asked his friends to stop him. Although he has been warned, Hasan still went ahead and took action. “He just didn’t want his friends to be victims of a suicide bomber,” said Mudassar Hasan Bangish, the victim’s cousin. Eventually, Hasan was killed along with the suspect after the latter detonated the bomb.
The victim’s father, Mujahid Ali, stated that he was proud of what his son had done. Despite his sadness, he was assured that his son died a Syahid death, a holy death in the way of Islam. “His mother cried over the tragic incident, but my son averted the cries of thousands of other mothers,” he said.
Hasan’s bravery received praises from nearly all of Pakistan. Thanks to his actions, the school building he went to is safe from a suicide bomb attack, along with 2,000 other students inside the school located in Ibrahimzai, Hangu Province, northwest of Pakistan.
Hasan is considered worthy of the medal of honor for his bravery. His heroism is even compared to that of Malala Yousefai, a Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for supporting equal rights of men and women.
“At least give him a medal for his bravery. He is the pride of Pakistani people,” said Sherry Rehman, former Ambassador of Pakistan for the United States of America.
BBC | DIMAS SIREGAR
