( CNN ) -- Pakistan 's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has nominated a 14-year-old boy who died tackling a suicide bomber outside his school for a top civil award for bravery . Aitazaz Hassan Bangash has been hailed as a hero in Pakistan for the sacrifice he made to protect his schoolmates . The Sitara-e-Shujjat is the same honor awarded to Malala Yousafzai , a Pakistani schoolgirl who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban for her efforts to promote education for boys and girls . A statement from Sharif 's office Friday said Aitazaz 's `` brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students and established a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism . '' The nomination follows a campaign on social media for the teenager to be recognized . The ninth-grader was on his way to school Monday in the Hangu district of northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when the bomber , dressed in a school uniform , asked him where the school was , the teen 's cousin , Musadiq Ali Bangash said . He and Aitazaz became suspicious , the cousin said . `` The other students backed off , but Aitazaz challenged the bomber and tried to catch him . During the scuffle , the bomber panicked and detonated his bomb , '' he said . Aitazaz and the bomber died at the scene . Witnesses say the blast injured two other people . Hangu is a troubled district bordering Pakistan 's tribal areas . It is rife with sectarian violence , with attacks against Shia and Sunni Muslims . `` It was a great sacrifice to save the lives of hundreds of both Shia and Sunni students , who were in morning assembly , '' Musadiq said . CNN 's Zahir Shah Sherazi reported from Peshawar , Saima Mohsin from Islamabad and Anna Maja Rappard from Atlanta .
A teenager who died tackling a suicide bomber outside his school is nominated for an award . Aitazaz Hassan Bangash has been hailed as a hero in Pakistan for saving his schoolmates . Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says his `` brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students '' Teenager 's cousin says Aitazaz challenged the bomber after becoming suspicious .