The 15- year-old Aitizaz Hassan was given Pakistan’s highest award for gallantry on Saturday.

The student prevented a tragedy when he threw himself on top of a man who came to bomb his school in the northwestern district of Hangu on Monday.

The attacker was forced to detonate his bomb at the gate of the school with one-thousand pupils inside.

Hassan died in hospital but none of the students were hurt in the attack.

After his death, the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said it had advised President Mamnoon Hussain “to approve the conferment of Sitara-e-Shujjat (Star of Bravery) to Shaheed (Martyr) Aitzaz Hassan,” adding, “Shaheed (martyr) Hassan's brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students and established a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism.”

And now tributes are pouring in for his act of bravery. His father, Mujahid Ali says he is proud of his son because he saved the lives of his fellow students.

The developments come as several Shia religious gatherings have been targeted in different parts of the country over the past few months.

Shia Muslims in Pakistan say the government must take decisive action against the forces involved in the targeted killings. They also accuse Islamabad of failing to provide security for the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, large crowds of demonstrators have held massive protest rallies to condemn attacks on Shia Muslims in recent weeks.

The protesters also expressed their "categorical rejection of hate speech and incitement to violence" against the Shia Muslims.

They blamed the foreign-funded Takfiri elements and pro-Taliban groups for the violence saying that the government must take decisive action against them.

SHI/SHI