A policeman, Lieutenant Sayed Basam Pacha, 25, whose bear hug stopped a suicide bomber from killing more people outside a restaurant in Kabul, had two bachelors degrees. 
 
Lt. Pacha studied politics before joining the Afghan National Police. 
 
He also went to Turkey and studied for five years in a police academy and returned home at least two years ago. 
 
On Thursday, he was assigned to maintain the security of a restaurant which hosted a big gathering. 
 
Pacha saw the suspect at the first moment when he tried to enter a big crowd in the area, but he did not hesitate to act as soon as possible. The explosion happened after he hugged the suicide bomber. 
 
Government officials and other Afghans took to social media, sharing Pacha’s pictures, calling him a hero. 

"Heroism cannot be more than this. I don't know how to express my feelings to the people and his family," acting interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak said.

“He came to his house once a month. He was in love with his job,” said Mujib-ur-Rahman Ghafari, a classmate of Pacha. 
  
The explosion killed at least 19 people, including 11 civilians and eight police force members. 
 
Mirwais Qate was another police force member who lost his life in the deadly attack. 
 
Qate joined the Afghan National Police seven years ago. He has left four children. His elder son is 14 years old. 
 
“Those who did the attack had relations with foreigners and they exchange their country, dignity and honor for money,” Mirwais's father Gul Kaka said.   
 
"We were in house when the explosion occurred. My grandfather sent me out to see what has happened. When I went to there, everyone was worried. When I came back they said your father is dead," Mirwais's son Faizullah said.