The world may still be reeling from the Peshawar carnage that left 132 children dead, but it was a 15-year-old from Pakistan who thwarted a terrorist attack of a much bigger scale in Jan. The teenager laid his life to save 2,000 of his schoolmates from a certain death. Huma Sadaf reports from Lahore
Mujahid Ali wishes the calendars didn't have January 6. The day left him scarred for life, for his 15-year-old son died in an act of terrorism. But Aitzaz Hassan was not a victim. He died as a hero.
As he prepares for his son's first death anniversary, Ali of Ibrahimzai, a hamlet near Hangu town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, feels had the Peshawar killers come across some Aitzazs first, they wouldn't have been able shed blood at the Army Public School.
With the spotlight turned on Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, many would wonder who was Aitzaz Hassan.
On January 6, 2014, the teenager was scampering to school as he was late for the morning prayers. All he probably had in his mind was a reprimand from his teachers. As he reached the school, he saw a suicide bomber who was about to blow himself up.
Taller and burlier than most of his classmates, Aitzaz held the fidayeen in a tight embrace, kept pushing him away from his school, while yelling at his friends to run for safety. "The explosives strapped to the terrorist's body blew up, killing him and Aitzaz. But by that time, my son had ensured that his schoolmates were safe," said Ali, his voice choking with emotion.
The big sacrifice saved the lives of nearly 2,000 students. The Government of Pakistan nominated the deceased young boy for Sitara-e-Shujaat (Medal of Bravery). But he and his family continue to remain off the international radar.
Aitzaz's cousin, Mudassir Bangashre members the young lad for his open criticism of terrorist organisations. Mudassir, who practises law in Peshawar, says he would often hear Aitzaz taking part in discussions on security threats in their area. "Agar mere samnay aa jain ye dehshatgard, to main aik aik ko maar doon" (If I come face to face, I promise to kill every single terrorist), says Mudassir, quoting Aitzaz.
True to his words, the boy did not think twice before taking on the suicide bomber who was aiming to strike his school.
While teachers count Aitzaz as a slightly above-average student, friends and classmates remember him for being someone whom they could count on in the hour of need. Teachers said Aitzaz's martyrdom had a massive effect on the students.
Ali, a friend of Aitzaz, says, "He was taller than most of us and heavier too, but very friendly and loving. He did not run away when he saw the bomber. Instead, he embraced him and asked us to take shelter. I miss him a lot. May his soul be blessed for eternity. He used to say that those who kill innocents in name of God are misguided and we should stop them at any cost. All of us are determined to save others from such bad people in any possible way."
Aitzaz's mother said she misses her son more than anything. She quickly adds, "When I heard that the attack could not keep the students out of the school the very next day, I felt my son's sacrifice had not gone in vain."
Pakistan stands on the cusp history. For how long will 15-year-olds like Aitzaz save their schools? How many mothers have to see their teenagers getting felled by delusional fanatics? How many more are to be buried before the Pakistani government draws a line?
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