Pakistan Honors Teen Who Died Stopping Suicide Bomber

The Pakistani teenager who sacrificed his life to stop a suicide bomber has been given the country’s highest civilian honor.

According to CNN, Aitazaz Hassan Bangash was walking to school when a stranger dressed in a school uniform asked him where the school was. That’s when Aitazaz and his friends became suspicious. As the bomber approached the school’s entrance, Aitazaz tackled him. 

The bomber detonated his explosives, and both he and Aitazaz died at the scene. Still, hundreds of students inside were saved. (Via CBS)

On Friday, the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said it would honor the boy's heroic actions with the "Star of Bravery" — the country's highest civilian award of bravery. (Via The Daily Star) 

Others have compared his bravery to Malala Yousafzai — the young girl who was shot by the Taliban for attending school. (Via ABC) 

She, too, praised the boy, teling reporters: "I feel proud that I belong to a country where many brave and courageous people like Aitazaz Hasan are born.” (Via Voice of America) 

Aitazaz leaves behind two parents and two sisters. The Express Tribune quotes his father, as saying: "My son made his mother cry, but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children."