PESHAWAR: Brig Nadeem Zaki Manj, commander in Hangu, visited the grave of young Aitezaz Hassan Bangash in Ibrahimzai area of Hangu district on Saturday and laid a floral wreath on behalf of Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif and offered fateha.

Bangash had sacrificed his life to save hundreds of his schoolmates from a suicide attack on Jan 6.

Brig Manj conveyed the army chief’s rich tribute to the bereaved family and said the nation was proud of the hero who had set a sterling example of bravery and sacrifice at a young age of 15 years and “sacrificed his today for our better tomorrow”.

According to agencies, a guard of honour was presented in the presence of a large number of local people and schoolchildren.

Malala Yousufzai also paid tribute to Bangash. “I wish that in giving his own life he helps to bring peace to my people and my country,” she said in a statement.