The mother of a Bradford schoolboy has told how he died in front of her after being shot during a family holiday in Pakistan.

Hamza Nisar, ten, was killed by a gunshot to the chest as he left his grandfather's house in Mirpur to attend Friday prayers at a nearby mosque.

Speaking from the family home in Girlington, Bradford, his mum Nighat Nisar described how she had been in the house when she heard a commotion outside.

She said: "I was in the kitchen feeding my youngest son, Ali. Suddenly I heard a really loud scream and a crying sound. I couldn't understand what it was. Then I realised it was my father, wailing and crying.

"As I entered the living room they were carrying my son into the house. They laid him on the sofa. My father and my nephew were covered with blood but I couldn't see any on Hamza.

"They lifted him up and he drew a breath and I thought he was going to be okay because he was breathing. It was his last breath. I couldn't comprehend what had happened.

"I just couldn't accept it. Hamza was just a loving boy, he was never difficult and never answered back."

Mrs Nisar said her husband Nisar Ahmed and their family had been staying at her sister's home about five minutes' walk from her father's house during their holiday last month.

"As it was our last Friday I wanted to visit him. Hamza was very happy to be going to visit his grandfather, he liked going there.

"When we arrived Hamza asked for permission to go to the mosque with his grandfather and cousin. I never refused him if he wanted to go and pray. They were to go to the mosque and come back to eat."

Hamza was shot by a man who was on a nearby rooftop.

A Pakistani national Sajid Nazir, believed to be aged 45, has been charged with the murder of the schoolboy, who was a pupil at St Philip's Primary School in Girlington.

The family said police in Mirpur had told them the arrested man had previously been charged with three killings more than 20 years ago.

He escaped lengthy incarceration or possible execution by paying blood money' to the victims' families in accordance with Islamic law, they said.

If he is convicted he could face death by hanging.

Mrs Nisar said: "My son had a very short life, maybe the purpose of that life was to see justice done for those other three people. If this man is found guilty I hope he never goes free, I don't want any other mother to go through the pain I have."

She said she and her husband had been comforted by the many messages of condolence that have been posted on the Telegraph & Argus website.

She said the support she received both from people in Bradford and in Pakistan meant a great deal to the family.

"We had the internet in Pakistan and we printed off all the comments from the book of condolence the T&A opened. We read every single one, it meant a lot.

"The British Embassy also phoned me straight away and offered condolences and wrote a letter."

Hamza was described as a "popular and talented pupil", by St Philips head teacher Judith Bey. She said he was a skilful footballer and an integral part of the school team.

e-mail: paddy.mcguffin @bradford.newsquest.co.uk