PESHAWAR: The father of a Pakistani teenager killed after tackling a suicide bomber Thursday hailed his son for saving “hundreds” of lives through his bravery.
Aitzaz Hassan, aged around 15, died in hospital after stopping the bomber, who blew himself up, at the gates of his school in the northwestern district of Hangu on Monday.
His father Mujahid Ali Bangash, 55, told AFP he felt not sadness but pride at his son’s death.
“Aitzaz has made us proud by valiantly intercepting the bomber and saving the lives of hundreds of his fellow students,” he said.
“I am happy that my son has become a martyr by sacrificing his life for a noble cause.”
Bangash works in the UAE and was only able to reach Ibrahimzai village, which lies in an area of Hangu, the day after his son’s funeral.
“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.”
Police official Shakirullah Bangash told AFP that Aitzaz intercepted the bomber some 490 feet away from the main gate of the school, which has around 1,000 students.
The schoolchildren were the target of the attack, he added.
News of Hassan’s bravery also led to an outpouring of tributes on social media.
Pakistani father hails teenage son for stopping suicide bomber
Pakistani father hails teenage son for stopping suicide bomber
