A young schoolteacher, Zahoor Rehman, is being hailed as a hero after sacrificing his life to save women, children, and neighbors when flash floods devastated Bashonai village in Buner district.
On Friday morning, Zahoor was preparing for school when a sudden torrent of water, carrying boulders and debris, swept through the village. Without hesitation, he warned families of the danger and urged them to move to safer ground. He personally carried children to a sturdier house and rescued several neighbors, including Muhammad Ijaz and his nephews who were moments from drowning.
“The current was too strong. I felt helpless, but Zahoor pulled us out,” Ijaz recalled.
Even after saving many, Zahoor was caught by the flood himself. As neighbors tried to help, he shouted his last words: “I’m going—don’t come into the water after me.” Moments later, he was swept away.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 300 people have lost their lives in recent floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Buner has been the worst-hit district, with at least 225 dead, 120 injured, and over 100 missing. Bashonai village, Zahoor’s home, is among the hardest affected.
Known as a dedicated teacher and volunteer with Al-Khidmat Foundation, Zahoor’s death has shaken the community. To many, he was more than an educator—he was a symbol of service and sacrifice.
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In a tragedy where countless lives have been reduced to numbers, Zahoor Rehman’s story stands apart. He gave his life so that others could live.