Aitzaz Hasan

Aitzaz Hasan was a Pakistani student who died on 6 January 2014 while preventing a suicide bomber from entering a 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. His death anniversary is observed annually throughout Pakistan on 6 January. Aitzaz was outside the school gate of his Government High School, Ibrahimzai, in Hangu, with two other schoolmates. Aitzaz had not been allowed to attend the morning assembly due to his tardiness that day. 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, possibly to raise the alarm, while Aitzaz confronted the suicide bomber, who then detonated his vest. Aitzaz died at the scene. No other students were harmed. Aitzaz's story led to an outpouring of emotion on television and on social media, where the hashtag onemillionaitzazs trended on Twitter. A Facebook page was set up in tribute to his act. Aitzaz's father said that his son made a sacrifice to save the lives of others: "My son made his mother cry but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children." Scores of people attended his funeral to pay their respects. A floral wreath was laid on the grave of Aitzaz Hasan on behalf of the Pakistani Army chief. Aitzaz was hailed as a national hero and a martyr by the Pakistani government, media, and public. He was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Shujaat (Star of Bravery), the highest civilian award for bravery in Pakistan. He was also named as the Herald 's Person of the Year for 2014. He received tributes from various national and international figures, including Malala Yousafzai, who called him "brave and courageous". A biographical film, Salute, was released in 2016, based on his life and sacrifice.