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Pakistan

Remembering teen martyr Aitazaz Hassan on his first death anniversary

Dunya News

Local media is calling Hassan a hero, while social media is demanding recognition for him.

LAHORE: (Dunya News) - January 6, 2015 marked the first death anniversary of the teen martyr Aitzaz Hassan, who sacrificed his life while tackling a suicide bomber outside his school last year in Hangu.

Pakistan recently witnessed a brutal attack on school kids by Taliban making Aitzaz Hassan’s sacrifice more prominent.
Today, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) assembly Nighat Orakzai put forth a resolution right after the assembly session started, demanding the provincial government to name the road from Hangu to Kohat after the martyr of the Army Public School (APS) attack Aitzaz Hassan.

The Senate passed a unanimous resolution last year on January 10, 2014 paying rich tributes to Aitazaz Hassan.

The House lauded the courage of Aitzaz Hassan, a teenage boy, who sacrificed his life while intercepting a suicide bomber in order to save his school in Hangu district.

Malala Yousafzai also paid tribute to Aitzaz Hassan when he got killed last year.

Aitzaz Hassan became a national hero after he tackled the bomber who had come to attack his school, at a time when hundreds of students were inside.

Hassan died in hospital after the bomber blew himself up at the school gates. No one else was wounded or killed in the incident.
Police in Pakistan’s troubled northwest have already recommended Hassan for a top civilian honour.

Malala described his act as "brave and courageous".

"In sacrificing his own life, Aitazaz protected hundreds of innocent young students from being killed," she said in a statement.
"I wish that in giving his own life he helps to bring peace to my people and my country," she added.

Malala offered condolences to his family and called for the government to award Hassan its "highest national award".
"His bravery must never be forgotten," she said.

Nasir Khan Durrani, the chief of KP police, wrote to the provincial chief minister Pervez Khattak, recommending Hassan for a posthumous award.

"The suicide bomber tried to enter the school where hundreds of students were studying. Aitazaz Hassan sacrificed his life and stopped the bomber with bravery and courage," the police statement said.
"He saved the lives of hundreds of innocent students with his extreme valour and bravery."

Pakistan has several categories of civilian awards and it will fall to the government to decide which, if any, Hassan should receive.
Hassan’s father Mujahid Ali Bangash said that he felt not sadness but pride at his son’s death.

"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.

"I will be even more than happy if my second son also sacrifices his life for the country."

Local media is calling Hassan a hero, while social media is demanding recognition for him.
 

 



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