Pakistani man hailed for wrestling New Zealand gunman

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) – A Pakistani man who lost his life while trying to disarm a gunman during Friday’s terror attack in New Zealand has been hailed as a hero.

Naeem Rashid, 49, who hails from Abbottabad, a city in northwestern Pakistan, was trying to protect other worshippers in Al Noor Mosque, one of the two mosques in Christchurch which came under attack.

Rashid also lost his son in the mass shooting.

At least 49 people were killed when a gunman opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques.

"Naeem Rashid tried overpowering the shooter identified as Brenton Tarrant after he had entered the mosque, however, he was left badly wounded during the attempt aimed at protecting fellow worshipers," the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis said in a statement.

Rashid moved to New Zealand in 2009 along with his family for his PhD, his brother Khurshid Alam told Anadolu Agency.

"My nephew, Talha Naeem, who recently completed his engineering degree from a college in New Zealand was also murdered in the Al Noor Mosque terrorist attack,” he confirmed.

Rashid is survived by his wife, Ambareen Alam, who teaches at a university in Christchurch, and two sons.

"I spoke to my brother last week and he was planning to come to Pakistan to arrange his son's marriage ceremony. But now we lost both of them and will receive their bodies," Alam said.

In their family home in Abbottabad, relatives and friends are pouring in to offer their condolences.

"Today is sad day for all of us as we lost a brave nephew, but we are proud that he tried his best to rescue other Muslims from a terrorist,” Saleem Afzal, his maternal uncle said.

The Foreign Ministry on Saturday confirmed six Pakistani citizens lost their lives in the attack, while three are still missing.