Father of boy hero: don’t give sympathies, congratulate me

The father of a Pakistani teenager killed after tackling a suicide bomber praised his son for saving his fellow students through his bravery. 15-year-old Aitzaz Hassan died in a hospital after stopping the attack at the gates of his school in the northwestern district of Hangu on Monday. Mujahid Ali Bangash said, “I am happy that my son has become a martyr by sacrificing his life for a noble cause… 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 added, “I will be even more than happy if my second son also sacrifices his life for the country.” The school has around 1,000 students, most of them Shiite in a district with a history of sectarian violence. News of Hassan’s bravery led to an outpouring of tributes on social media. Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman, tweeted: “Hangu’s shaheed (martyr) Aitzaz Hasan is Pakistan’s pride. Give him a medal at least. Another young one with heartstopping courage #AitzazBraveheart.”

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