Pakistani Boy Praised For Giving His Life To Foil Suicide Attack

[Valin]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

January 10, 2014

 

Mujtaba Hasan (second from left) with a picture of his brother of Atizaz, who reportedly sacrificed his life to stop a suicide bomber outside his school

 

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Pakistan's prime minister has recommend that a top civilian honor be awarded to a teenage boy who died when he interfered with a suicide bomber who tried to attack his school.

 

Nawaz Sharif said on January 10 that Aitzaz Hassan should receive the Sitara-e Shujaat (Order of Bravery). He said Hassan's action saved the lives of hundreds of students and was "a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism."

 

Aitzaz Hassan reportedly intervened to stop the would-be bomber on January 6 as he tried to attack Hassan's school in the country's troubled northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.