TV cartoon tribute to hero schoolboy who died stopping a suicide bomber

The incredible bravery of a teenager who gave his life tackling a suicide bomber at a Pakistani school has been honoured in a heartwarming animated story.

Aitzaz Hasan was only 15 when he grabbed the attacker outside the school and saved the lives of hundreds of students who were to be targeted at an assembly.

The bomber, who was disguised in school uniform, managed to detonate his vest and Aitzaz died of his injuries.

His actions in 2014 were praised around the world and the school at Ibrahimzai in the Hangu region of north-western Pakistan was renamed after him.

After his son died, Aitzaz’s father Mujahid Ali said: “My son made his mother cry but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children.”

To mark the fourth anniversary of his selfless act, his story is featured in a new animated TV series called Teetoo and Tania on Pakistani TV and YouTube.

Teetoo is an alien on a mission to destroy Earth who arrives in Pakistan by accident. Tania tells the stories of Pakistani heroes to convince the visitor our planet is really a good place. Aitzaz’s actions are featured in the second episode.

Teetoo and Tania is a Unicorn Black production by Haroon Rashid, the creator and director of another animated TV series called Burka Avenger.

He said it is “dedicated to the students and teachers of Army Public School Peshawar and all victims of such acts”. More than 130 students were killed in 2014 when gunmen from the Pakistani Taliban attacked the school.

Episode three tells about Master Ayub, a Pakistani hero for providing free access to education to thousands of underprivileged children in Punjab.

His school was founded more than 30 years ago and over 20,000 of his students are now working in government ministries or the private sector.