President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday approved the conferment of the civil award “Sitara-e-Shujaat” upon Liaquat Shaheed, who sacrificed his life while foiling a suicide attack in the border area between Kohat and Attock earlier this week.

According to a statement from the President’s Office, the approval was granted on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A day earlier, both the president and the prime minister paid tribute to Liaquat Shaheed for his exemplary valour, remembering him as a shining example of national resilience, patriotism, and collective awareness in the fight against terrorism.

The president directed Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to locate the family of Shaheed Liaquat and convey the message of full national solidarity.

The prime minister said that the eternal sacrifice of Shaheed Liaquat would always be remembered, as he set a noble example of extraordinary courage, a sense of duty, and patriotism.

“Such brave citizens are the true symbol of national resolve against terrorism. Shaheed Liaquat’s sacrifice is a guiding light for every individual in the nation,” he added.

Read: Civilian sacrifices life stopping suicide bomber

On Monday, Liaquat lost his life while preventing a suicide attacker from reaching a sensitive location near the inter-provincial border between Kohat and Attock.

The incident occurred near Jand and Khushal Garh Bridge, where Liaquat, a resident of Village Mankoor in Tehsil Jand, District Attock, intercepted a suspicious individual moving towards a checkpoint through agricultural fields.

Authorities said the suspect, believed to be a suicide bomber, detonated the explosives he was carrying after being confronted by Liaquat.

Both Liaquat and the attacker were killed in the blast. Officials said Liaquat’s timely intervention prevented the attacker from reaching the target and averted a potentially devastating attack on security personnel and civilians in the area.