A teenager who reportedly sacrificed his life to prevent a suicide attack on his school has been lauded on social media - with people demanding Year 10 student Aitizaz Hasan been given Pakistan's highest military honour.
Politicians, including former cricketer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chairman Imran Khan, tweeted about the teenager's bravery.
Hasan was a student of the Government High School Ibrahimzai in Hangu, which has 2,000 students, according to the Express Tribune, who reported Hasan was late for school and kept out of normal assembly.
A picture posted on social media purportedly of Aitizaz Hasan
Outside the building, he was chatting to his elder brother, Mujtaba, when another student spotted a man with a detonator.
As students ran for cover, Hasan apparently ran toward the bomber, who detonated his explosives, killing only himself and Hasan.
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“I had never thought that my brother would die such a great death. He sacrificed his life to save humanity,” Mujtaba said in an interview with The Express Tribune.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant anti-Shi'a group, have claimed responsibility for the attack, which was in a Shi'a area.
The principal of the school, Lal Baz, said it had taken days for politicians to visit the family: “The attack targeted education and I am surprised neither the federal nor the provincial government functionary has visited the family. Their silence is condemnable."
One of Pakistan's most famous journalists, Nasim Zehra, has demanded the highest honour for Hasan, backed by Khan.
Young Pakistanis have been tweeting their thanks to Hasan, and calling for him to be awarded an honour.