Teen dies stopping suicide bomber at school in Pakistan

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**Dreadclaw69**

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/asia/pakistan-boy-stops-suicide-bomber/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

(CNN) -- A 14-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero in Pakistan for tackling a suicide bomber -- dying at the main gate of his school and saving schoolmates gathered for their morning assembly.

Ninth-grader Aitazaz Hassan Bangash was on his way to the Ibrahimzai School on Monday in the Hangu district of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when the bomber, dressed in a school uniform, asked him where the school was, the teen's cousin told CNN.

Aitazaz and his cousin, Musadiq Ali Bangash, became suspicious, Musadiq said.

"The other students backed off, but Aitazaz challenged the bomber and tried to catch him. During the scuffle, the bomber panicked and detonated his bomb," he said.

Rajab Ali, who also witnessed the bombing, told CNN that he saw Aitazaz throw a large stone at a boy trying to enter the school. The blast happened when Aitazaz grabbed him, he said.

Aitazaz and the bomber died at the scene. Witnesses say the blast injured two other people.

Iftikhar Ahmed, a Hangu district police officer, confirmed the details of the attack to CNN.

Hangu is a troubled district bordering Pakistan's tribal areas. It is rife with sectarian violence, with attacks against Shia and Sunni Muslims.

"It was a great sacrifice to save the lives of hundreds of both Shia and Sunni students, who were in morning assembly," Musadiq said.

Aitazaz is survived by his father, Mujaad Ali Bangash, a laborer; his elder brother, Mustajab Hassan Bangash, a student in Pakistan; and three sisters.

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Pakistanis are comparing him to Malala, the schoolgirl shot by the Taliban in October 2012 for promoting education for all boys and girls.

Pakistanis on social media are praising Aitazaz's bravery, with people on Twitter asking everyone to use hastags #onemillionaitzazs or simply #aitzaz and calling for his heroism to be recognized with an award.

**kronk**

What a brave kid.

**Frazzled**

So people in the know, are all these bombers and Taliban there actual local Pakistanis or foreign agitators?

**Da Boss**

Incredibly brave kid.

What is the aim of the suicide bomber in targeting a school? To prevent western education? Or was it because two categories of Muslim were together at this school?

**djones520**

Frazzled wrote:
So people in the know, are all these bombers and Taliban there actual local Pakistanis or foreign agitators?

Both.

**scarletsquig**

Absolute hero.

**Mathieu Raymond**

There are some really brave kids coming out of Pakistan.

**master of ordinance**

Brave lad. He did what few would have done.

**hotsauceman1**

And the balls of steel Award goes too.......

**Orlanth**

A genuine martyr.

Too often we see the other kind from the region.

**DarkTraveler777**

A very courageous act.

However, this quote from the article rubbed me the wrong way:

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Why even go there? Award the kid posthumous recognition, he certainly deserves to be remembered for his act of courage, but why make this tragedy into a battle of worth between two children who have been unwillingly thrown onto the front lines of terrorism? Seems odd and unnecessarily dismissive of what Miss Yousafzail has gone through.

**Alfndrate**

DarkTraveler777 wrote:
A very courageous act.

However, this quote from the article rubbed me the wrong way:

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Why even go there? Award the kid posthumous recognition, he certainly deserves to be remembered for his act of courage, but why make this tragedy into a battle of worth between two children who have been unwillingly thrown onto the front lines of terrorism? Seems odd and unnecessarily dismissive of what Miss Yousafzail has gone through.

Still goes to show just how repressed women are in that culture. Shame really.

**Jimsolo**

Just because Nawaz Khan is a knucklehead doesn't diminish what this kid did.

It's good to see people standing up. When regular people, children, are willing to resist, it clearly demonstrates a need and a will for change.

**MeanGreenStompa**

DarkTraveler777 wrote:

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Why even go there? Award the kid posthumous recognition, he certainly deserves to be remembered for his act of courage, but why make this tragedy into a battle of worth between two children who have been unwillingly thrown onto the front lines of terrorism? Seems odd and unnecessarily dismissive of what Miss Yousafzail has gone through.

Because there has been rumor spread that she was an agent of the Americans, that she is pushing anti-Islamic ideals (female empowerment, education etc, conveniently sweeping over the parts of the Qur'an where a wife of the prophet was a business woman and one of his most successful generals...). Also that her shooting was orchestrated by the Americans, that she is an Israeli sleeper agent, or indeed, a clone, created with the DNA of GW Bush...

But mostly because she's a girl, and it's islam.

**Asherian Command**

One damn brave kid. I honor him and hope his family knows that their kid died a hero. If only war wouldn't take the young.

**DarkTraveler777**

Jimsolo wrote:
Just because Nawaz Khan is a knucklehead doesn't diminish what this kid did.

Did anyone suggest that?

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

But mostly because she's a girl, and it's islam.

Yeah. Ugh. Yeah...

**JakeCWolf**

A heroic and selfless action, anyone of any creed of faith can respect what this young man did, as a World War II vet once said; "The real heroes are the one who didn't come back...".

**Jehan-reznor**

The kid will get his 50 virgins not the bomber!

**Soladrin**

Jehan-reznor wrote:
The kid will get his 50 virgins not the bomber!

He will also be receiving the bombers virgins.

That said, the idea of a 100 virgins is a nightmare. I'd rather meet a single experienced slut up there.

**Alexzandvar**

Soladrin wrote:
Jehan-reznor wrote:
The kid will get his 50 virgins not the bomber!

He will also be receiving the bombers virgins.

That said, the idea of a 100 virgins is a nightmare. I'd rather meet a single experienced slut up there.

What do you have against sex with Dakka vets in the after life

**d-usa**

Talking about kids dying while doing courageous things:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/29/us/new-york-firefighter-funeral-boy/

**Steve steveson**

DarkTraveler777 wrote:
A very courageous act.

However, this quote from the article rubbed me the wrong way:

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Why even go there? Award the kid posthumous recognition, he certainly deserves to be remembered for his act of courage, but why make this tragedy into a battle of worth between two children who have been unwillingly thrown onto the front lines of terrorism? Seems odd and unnecessarily dismissive of what Miss Yousafzail has gone through.

It could just be that this guy just wants the local kid to be a bigger hero.

It doesn't really matter TBH. Both did truly heroic things.

**DarkTraveler777**

d-usa wrote:
Talking about kids dying while doing courageous things:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/29/us/new-york-firefighter-funeral-boy/

That was a tough story to read, but Tyler Doohan's bravery is extremely inspirational.

Steve steveson wrote:
DarkTraveler777 wrote:
A very courageous act.

However, this quote from the article rubbed me the wrong way:

Local residents such as Nawaz Khan are calling for Aitazaz to receive a posthumous award for his bravery. "He saved the lives of hundreds of students. He deserves more recognition than Malala Yousafzai," he said.

Why even go there? Award the kid posthumous recognition, he certainly deserves to be remembered for his act of courage, but why make this tragedy into a battle of worth between two children who have been unwillingly thrown onto the front lines of terrorism? Seems odd and unnecessarily dismissive of what Miss Yousafzail has gone through.

It could just be that this guy just wants the local kid to be a bigger hero.

It doesn't really matter TBH. Both did truly heroic things.

Obviously that was Mr. Khan's goal, but isn't that a bit sickening? Why make it a competition? Both were kids caught up in political and religious turmoil and both showed tremendous courage and strength of character as a result of the situations in which they were placed. Why minimize the bravery of one child to prop up the actions of another? I think the reason other posters have given for the motivation behind Mr. Khan's statement is accurate which makes that motivation even more disgusting.

**hotsauceman1**

d-usa wrote:
Talking about kids dying while doing courageous things:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/29/us/new-york-firefighter-funeral-boy/

I simply have no words, That is just. WoW

**Nocturn**

Its actually 72 dakkanauts...

But he deserves every one of them.