Pakistan remembers Aitzaz Hasan on his 6th martyrdom anniversary on Wednesday January 6th (today).
Aitzaz Hasan Bangash – a Pakistani schoolboy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who gave his life while in his effort to stop a suicide bomber from entering a school is being remembered today for his selfless sacrifice for the nation.
Aitzaz Hasan was martyred on January 6th 2014 while preventing a suicide bomber from entering the school at Hangu village. More than 2,000 students were attending classes at the time of the incident. The institute was later renamed to Aitzaz Hasan Shaheed High School
Martyrdom
On 6 January 2014, Aitzaz was outside the school gate of Government High School, Ibrahimzai, in Hangu, with two other schoolmates. Allegedly, at this time a 20-to-25-year-old man approached the gate and stated he was there to “take admission”.
One of the students noticed a detonator on the man’s vest, whereupon Aitzaz’s schoolmates ran inside while Aitzaz confronted the suicide bomber, who then detonated his vest.
Meanwhile, other accounts argue that Aitzaz was on his way to school when he spotted a suspicious person. When Aitzaz tried to stop him, he started walking faster towards the school.
In an attempt to stop the bomber, Aitzaz threw a stone which failed to hit him. Then Aitzaz ran towards the person and grabbed him, prompting the suicide bomber to detonate his explosive-laden vest.
Aftermath and Recognition
Aitzaz’s action in saving his classmates captured the hearts of Pakistan, and he was hailed as a martyr and National hero. Later, the Government of Pakistan posthumously awarded him Sitara-e-Shujaat. He was named as the Herald’s Person of the Year for 2014.
Then Pakistani Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said that Aitzaz Hasan is “a national hero, who has sacrificed his today for our tomorrow.”
On January 12th 2014, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) bestowed a global bravery award on Hasan.
The government of Pakistan announced establishment of Aitizaz Hasan Fund, a trust fund for his Aitzaz’s family. The provincial governmental representatives announced a Rs 5 million package for the family of the teen and renamed his school as the Aitzaz Hasan Shaheed High School.
In 2016, a film named Salute was released to tribute him. A hostel has also been constructed at College of EME named after him.
