Akash Bashir, 20, died preventing a terrorist from bombing a full Church in Pakistan.
Newsroom (03/02/2022 11:00 AM, Gaudium Press): The Vatican has authorized the canonization process of Akash Bashir, a young man who died preventing a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan.
The Salesian News Agency (ANS) informs that on March 15, 2015, Akash Bashir, a Pakistani national, died preventing a suicide bomber from causing a massacre at St. John’s Church in Youhanabad, a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore, Pakistan. He was 20 years old, had studied at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lahore, and had become a security volunteer.
Preventing a Bombing
On that tragic day, like every Sunday, he was working his shift of overseeing security at the entrance to St. John’s Church. While on duty, news came to him that terrorists had attacked an Anglican church located 500 meters away. Akash was trying to secure the area in front of St. John’s Church when he saw a man running towards the building. This man, a terrorist, was intent on committing another massacre. Akash stood in front of him while the bomber threatened him. Akash was not intimidated. He embraced the terrorist to prevent him from entering the church, already full of people. The bomber blew himself up, resulting in the death of Akash and two other people. With his sacrifice, Akash saved the lives of over one hundred people.
An example of faith
The ANS report describes Akash as an example of faith. “Many go to his grave to pray and ask for intercession,” -the report concludes. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
