Hero police officer saved 'many lives' by bear hugging suicide bomber
A 'hero' Afghan police officer saved “many lives” by putting a suicide bomber in a bear hug, authorities say.
Sayed Basam Pacha died when he confronted the man wearing an explosive vest in the Afghan capital of Kabul on 16 November.
His brave actions prevented the bomber from getting closer to a security checkpoint outside a hotel where a political meeting of supporters of an influential regional leader had just finished.
The bomber killed 14 people, including seven more police officers, and injured 18, when he detonated his device, however the death toll would have undoubtedly been higher without the officer’s decisive intervention.
“He’s a hero, he saved many lives,” Kabul police chief Basir Mujahid told the New York Times. “All seven of those policemen are heroes but especially him.
“Just think if that suicide attacker got past the gate, what would have happened - well you cannot even imagine.”
His father, Gen Sayed Nizam Agha, said his son “sacrificed himself to save other people”.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, with the Taliban denying any involvement.
Harun Mutaref, who was at the gathering, told AFP, said he saw “many bodies including police and civilians lying in blood”.
“After lunch as we were exiting the hall a huge explosion shook the hall, shattering glass and causing chaos and panic,” he said.
In October, a suicide bomber thought to be as young as 12 killed five in Kabul’s diplomatic zone, with the Islamic State again claiming responsibility.
