Doctors said they were forced to begin operating at around 2am Wednesday after Malala developed swelling in the left portion of her brain.
They removed a bullet from her body near her spinal cord and finished at around 5am.
“She is still unconscious and kept in the intensive care unit,” said Mumtaz Khan, head of a panel of doctors taking care of Malala at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Peshawar.
Malala began standing up to the Pakistani Taliban when she was just 11, when the government had effectively ceded control of the Swat Valley where she lives to the militants.
Her courage made her a national hero and many Pakistanis were shocked by her shooting.
The military flew Malala from her home in Swat, northwest of Islamabad, to Peshawar on Tuesday.
The shooting was denounced across Pakistan. The front pages of national newspapers carried pictures of a bandaged and bloody Malala being brought to hospital.
‘Cowards’
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and heads of various opposition parties joined human rights group Amnesty International and the United Nations in condemning the attack.
“Pakistan’s future belongs to Malala and brave young girls like her. History won’t remember the cowards who tried to kill her at school,” Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said on Twitter.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack saying Malala was “pro-West”, had been promoting Western culture and had been speaking out against them.
“Any female that, by any means, plays a role in the war against mujahideen should be killed,” said Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan.
“We are dead against co-education and a secular education system.”
Zardari said he had directed that Malala be sent abroad for medical care.
A special aircraft had been sent to Peshawar in case doctors say she should be moved to the United Arab Emirates, said Zaibullah Khan, general manager of the city’s airport.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said he was willing to pay for Malala’s medical treatment in Pakistan or abroad.
“Brave girl. Praying for her recovery,” he said on Twitter.
Khushal Public School, where Malala studies, has announced that it will remain closed for three days, while private schools have decided to remain closed, today.
Students will protest the attack in front of Mingora Press Club, today, while the Awami National Party will stage a demonstration in Swat.
The Peshawar High Court Bar Association has called an emergency meeting.
PHCBA President Abdul Latif Afridi moved a resolution condemning the performance of the law enforcement agencies and seeking a change in policy of the Army regarding the Taliban.
Afridi said that if peace is not restored then the condition in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will become like that of Balochistan, adding that the security agencies were not fulfilling their duties.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani arrived in Peshawar to see Malala and enquire about her health.
The security guard of Khushaal Public School and the driver of the van in which Malala was travelling when the attack took place have been detained by the police for investigations.
The Senate also passed a unanimous resolution condemning the terrorist attack Malala.
COMMENTS (104)
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We send our prayers for a total and speedy recovery for Malala, a brave young girl. Her values are inspiring to us all.
@ ALi ...common man!!! grow up...Ahsanullah ahsan Gang has already taken responsibility for her shooting countless times..and yet u are in illusion..TTP is no one enemy of Pakistan and these thugs are drug addicts who have no value for muslim lives. They have their "own version of Islam " which is meant to only malign our great religion Islam.
Yes that is great if we manage to save her life! She is brave girl It was happen after Imran Kahan Peace March, President OBHAMA ordered CIA to Kill the Malala Yousafza in order to reduce the pressure due to Imran Khan peace March against drone. As Obhama want to show there is Talban so my Drone policy is not wrong. \
We must understand President Obhama is most powerful person and He has licensee to kill. He gave permission to kill people in Drone attacks. By giving order to kill MALALA the whole world media will forget the Imran peace march and will start to talk about terrorist Talban. I hate all Talban, I am not supporting them, But we must see who will be the beneficiary to that murder. Of course Talban not. But only Obhama as there is election in US soon,
Why Talban not killed her in last three years as she was there, Why they select to kill this time???
@Jawad Khan
Taalibans shoot (by directly targeting) a child = Silence (Blame America - Talibans were only retaliating the drones) Children get killed in a Drone attack targeting militants who chose to make defenseless innocent people their shild)= Very Wrong (Blame America)
Shamefull and hypocretic stance.
Be fair if you want to make a difference. Condemn everyone who is wrong and show no mercy to the one who is evil.
Strongly condemn this barbaric atrocity. Get well soon girl ALLAHUMMA SWT AAMEEN
the only good taliban is a dead taliban
Please don’t let some people change the issue here by injecting drones. This was a Murder of a Muslim girl by a so-called Muslim and not collateral damage. In suicide attacks tons of innocent civilians are killed besides the targets. In fact sometimes the target escapes death!!
Please beware of those trying to confuse the issue with drones. This girl was the intended target and not killed as a result of attack on somebody else!!
If militants cross the border, hit Afghan and Nato forces and sneak back in, then they are well aware that those they hit will strike back. This is war and not a game.
What would Pakistan do if Indians sneaked across and hit Pakistanis and then go back. Pakistan will ask Indian govt to put a stop to it or else. If Indians fail or are unwilling to stop them and if Pakistan had drones, guess what would happen?
As Pakistan is unable to stop Militants from sneaking across into Afghanistan then guess what would those being hit do? Those militants that cross the border over to Afghanistan put the security of the country at risk.
Civilians are killed by both sides including those who commit suicide attacks.
For those who are saying nobody should stop the militants from crossing into Afghanistan as it is their duty to help the Afghans, then why cry when the enemy strikes back with drones? You cant pick the enemies weapons for them!! You kill theirs they kill yours.
One of the few incidents which brought tears in my eyes...Its time to set our priorities right and recognize that there are no good or bad Talibans...all of them are Zalimans...I think from this day on they should rather be called Zaliman instead of Taliban...Extremism in everything is bad but when its in religion its the worst...
The Taliban are afraid of little girls. Why Pakistan continues to support these dinosaurs with their 14th century barbaric attitudes is beyond me.
I thank God that I live in Canada away from these mongrel dogs.
May Allah give courage to all Pakistanis to raise a Malala Yousafzai in every household - May Allah give Pakistanis the courage to take on the violent Mullahs with such courage and wisdom as Malala.
Taaliban shoot a child = Wrong America kills children = Silence (its alright) Pakistan Army kills children = Silence (its alright) Double, Triple Standards of people around me All Happening In My Pakistan!! ......... yukhhhhh
Countless Malala Yousafzais have been killed and maimed in Afghanistan by these pseudo jihadis, let's hope that this incident will be the catalyst that augurs a paradigm shift in the security state of Pakistan. Long live Malala Yousafzai!
@theman: you will wait forever!
may Allah recover her soon..Amen. For taliban and pro-talibans, Holy Prophet Mohammad Pbuh said' education is obilgatory for all muslims' He (p.b.u.h) also offered kafir (non-believer) prisnores of 'Gazva-e-badar' freedom if they teach muslims . . . He (p.b.u.h) advised to love the young and respect the old. Islam says that muder of a human is the murder of whole humanity.islam teaches respect for women. So i don't understand what 'islam' talibans are talking about?
Malala, child, wish you a speedy recovery - from India.
I hope that this opportunity is used to unify the country and finally have an unambiguous policy to deal with terror. The current good terrorist/bad terrorist approach has not worked out too well unfortunately.
This barbaric act proves that talibanism is the synonym for barbarism and it proves that they aren't jihadists or Muslims or in fact can’t even be considered humans for that matter, they are just animals that cannot be tamed and should be put down
This barbaric act proves that talibanism is the synonym for barbarism and that they aren't jihadists or Muslims or in fact can’t even be considered humans for that matter, they are just animals that cannot be tamed and should be put down.
The voices in supoport of Malala are appreciative but no one uttering a single word for other girls injured with Malala.
The ground is making against Taliban attack. Nothing more than that its all Drama. Drama next episode is Malala is going abroad. If operation is successful than why she is going.
Malala is a well known personality but not even that Chief go to visit her. A big Question Mark?
@Yaida M: Kudos to the government for being there for Malala when she needed help. The government is doing a wonderful job – only on this matter.
Yes indeed. So far so good.
Its better to send her abroad...Not because Pakistani doctors are incompetent....
If these terrorists can break into an airforce base or naval base,entering into a hospital wont be that tough a task...Besides,her presence would red tape the entire hospital and ordinary patients will have a tough time dealing with that...
@AR:
There was nothing fake about the video, only a certain extreme right wing pro-taliban journalist tried to portray it as such.
"Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack saying Yousufzai was “pro-West”, had been promoting Western culture and had been speaking out against them. Any female that, by any means, plays a role in the war against mujahideen should be killed,” said Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan.". It is my fatwa that the Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan should be killed. All Ulema are requested to unanimously edorse my fatwa. The Pakistan Army is requested to act to implement my fatwa. I support Mullah Omar and Afghan Taliban fighting with the US and NATO but the TTP is misrepresenting Islam and the Afghan Taliban and therefore must be eliminated as soon as possible Regards.
When will the political leadership and TV pundits stop talking and DO something. We know who they are; we know what needs to be done; but, no leader in our Land of the Pure is willing to make a decision.
May Almighty Allah Bless her in fast recovery - Ameen.....
Malala,my daughter,get well soon.we will support you for noble peace prize for your bravery against these beasts.You have brought the end of these evil forces much closer with your blood.You are the daughter of nation.We need you.
get well soon
Come on Malala........not only Pakistan, but the whole world needs bravehearts like you.. tonnes of love and blessings from India.....Get well soon little brave one
I am so proud of our doctors. Their extraordinary skills made up for the lack of technology. This girl needs to be provided constant protection and other should follow in her foot steps.
It gives me immense pain when I see some of our so called educated fanatics appearing everywhere and defending such acts on social media. I am amazed where is their shame, how dare they comment in favor of such cowardice, how could someone tribute such a brutal attack on a 13 year old child. I believe now its the perfect timing to strike taliban hard and their Supoporters as well, not only in N-Waziristan but in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Gilgit, Queta wherever they are living. My humble request to Pak Army and other Security Agencies, please chase them and teach them a lesson. I am praying for Malala as I have never done it so intensely for anything else in my life. May Allah gives her health and strength, may our enemies face Aza'ab-e-Elahi soon. Ameen.
A muslim kill a muslim, what a system is prevalent now a days in the muslim countries in particular Pakistan. Let Almighty give courage to people of Pakistan to bear the heat of such type of system.
Good news, her recovery gives us hope, Inshallah
May Allah give her health and happiness. I hope an NGO will be able to move her family needs to move out of Swat to Lahore, Islamabad or Karachi for now - a safer place where she can pursue her education without the fear of losing her life.
Kudos to the government for being there for Malala when she needed help. The government is doing a wonderful job - only on this matter.
Some good news finally. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery.
Most unfortunate.
Only with girls like Malala in Pakistan, can India hope to ever achieve peace with Pakistan.
When terrible attacks and horrible killings take place in Pakistan, Pakistani right like JI, PTI and Pakistani army hasn't still woken up.
Honestly the killing of this girl is nothing compared to scores of killings that take place in Pakistan everyday.
Will the army stop protecting their strategic assets now? Will the army make a second and honest U-turn which was a farce by Musharraf?!!
May Allah give her a speedy recovery and health.IA.
Our prayers are with her. What distorted message are the crazy Lunatics sending abt us and our nation!
I was glad that the bullet missed her brain. But, now I am a little worried that it was near her spinal chord. These sort of injuries often tend to remain lifelong. Hope she will recover fast and full.
@Aijaz Haider:
I didn’t hear Mullah Omer condemn TTP so far. What a load of rubbish trying to make hero out of theorist Mullah Omer.
I know a few of my fellow Muslims will go against what I say, but I think its high time to ANNIHILATE the Taliban-they are nothing short of being modern-day Kharijites. Not only do they not represent the 99.999% of us Muslims, they are a complete DISGRACE to the Muslim Ummah.
I don't believe our beloved Prophet SWS would ever, ever endorse such barbaric acts in a million years. In fact, I believe our beloved Prophet SWS would condemn these Talibanis.
Malala, Get well soon. nation is waiting for you.
taliban should now change their name. literally Taliban means "student". they should rather call themselves... ChildrenKillers! Rascals and Thugs. One & all. Time to wake up Pakistan. Enough is Enough!
Anyone wishing to kill a child is sick in mind, body and sould.
Very good is your gesture,sir.
“Any female that, by any means, plays a role in the war against mujahideen should be killed,” said Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan
There are hellfire missiles with the names of these rats and they will soon be falling from the sky to roast you terrorists.
Imran Khan I'm your biggest admirer but we need very very response to this attack from you and your party or else you lose my vote and others. Act fast and in a big way. We are watching your move. We supported you in your rally against drone. We await your response more than what was done for the rally.
Curse of Allah Almighty and His Messenger SAW, be upon these barbarians who are the offshoots of Shaitan Rajeem. May Allah Almighty grant complete recovery to Malala, the bravest child of Pakistan
Taliban are real curse on the face of this earth
Flashback: It was 2009 when the fake Swat video came out that created immense media hype on Taliban flogging a woman. Turned out the video was fake with paid actors and the reason to propagate the video was Swat operation which was executed after creating the much-needed public opinion. Media never said anything about the video being fake which by the way is responsibility of fair and unbiased reporting.
2012: Attack on Malala with immediate media hype and responsibility (oh well we all know how it works) claimed by TTP within a flash.
See a pattern in there: North Waziristan operation needs garnering of public opinion yet again. I do sincerely hope public doesn't act naive and foolish again and sees the trick in there.
P.S: Having said above, the attack on Malala is sad and prayers are with the little girl but this does sound like deja-vu!!
@Jawad Khan: for crying out loud, attempting to murder a child is wrong! Is there any sense in killing our own people?
I pray to ALLAH, Almighty for complete recovery of sister Malala Yousufzai
Anyone determined to kill a child must be totally sick in mind, body and soul
Salute to the brave daughter of Pakistan. I pray to Waheguru for her early recovery.
Don't you dare to wilt, Little Petal! What hope is left in a dreary land, if you do!
Long live Pakistan Army.. always there to serve..
It was the most shocking news that broughf tears in my eyes of the barbaric attack on 14 year old ANGEL Malala Yousufzai by those BARBARIANS the TTP who want to enforce their version of islam. MALALA my daughter my prayers are with you for your early recovery
This is exactly why the education and financial independence of women is so important so patriarchal regressive people can't keep them subjugated. What these religious fanatics fear is women becoming independent and equal individuals in society. In Gujarat, India poor girls are being given free cycles to get to school and money when they matriculate. Women like Kalpana Chawla who was at NASA have made all Indians proud. Pakistanis have the same genes and their women are just as capable as their Indian counterparts. To deprive women of their right to education and financial independence is a great evil. Girls like Malala who want to study despite overwhelming odds stacked against them could be the doctors of tomorrow saving lives. These cowardly religious fanatics who shot her, cannot save lives, only know how to take it. They will be forgotten the day after they die a dog's death. Girls like Malala Yousafzai will always be remembered for having paved the way for women's liberation. I hope this brave girl recovers though it appears unlikely as she was shot in the head. How many injustices will these cowards do in God's name?
Get well soon dear...U r a brave heart and the society needs you..- Love from India..
dear daughter,we are extremely sorry for the pain and agony you have to go through because you showed examplery bravery and courage aganist intolerance and terrorism.We should have done much more to protect you.
Do you why Taliban oppose 'Western education'? That's because knowledge will unshackle the students from years of oppression and prejudiced superstitions that Taliban have built around their lives for decades in the name of religion and honour.
Get well soon kiddo! Of all of us 'geniuses' you realised the best weapon against the Taliban scum is not gunpowder but eduction!
Simply barbaric. What we are presenting to the world by shooting down an innocent 14 years old girl while getting her education. Is this a culture that we are supporting and demanding in the name of Islam? Shame on all those who are the actors of this coward act. We pray for her quick recovery, she is a hope for future Pakistan. Long live Malala, your nobel cause is the true spirit of Islam, you are the voice of all humankind who loves knowledge and wisdom. May Allah Bless you a lot.
@Jawad Khan: Taaliban shoot a child = Wrong America kills children = Silence (its alright)
Americans also kills terrorists. Those who blow your mosques, homes, schools and bridges. Americans also kill those who abduct and kill the Chinese engineers working in Pakistan, the Pakistani minorities or those who are praying in the mosques.
Do you have a count of how many people have been killed by Taliban?
There is a reason why the rest of the world hates you. All you have to do is look at yourself.
She is my sister i pray for him. Allah pak in ko jald az jald sehat o yab farmaen (AMEEN)
@Jawad Khan: Considering the drone struck areas are too dangerous for common Pakistanis and the media it means those accusations of innocent casualties are actually coming from the Taliban itself most of the time. The apologists such as yourself are akin to anyone who believed the hilarious Iraqi propaganda spokesmen who was announcing a slaughter of foreign forces and "rivers of blood" at the exact same time as people were tearing down Saddam's statue. Literally, at the exact same time. In other words, people who should stay quiet if they want their country taken seriously. You should be ashamed of yourself making that comparison. You obviously have no mind of your own since you did make it. There's a big moral difference between walking up to a kid and shooting her in the head which is celebrated and unintended casualties in a war zone that is considered regretful. Some advice: don't mimic Imran Khan, you won't be taken seriously where it matters.
Disgraceful act of inhumanity in its most brutal form. May ALLAH, Almighty curse these most evil of people on earth. I pray to ALLAH, Almighty for complete recovery of sister Malala and other injured girls. May ALLAH, Almighty keep her blessed with health and happiness. She will continue her education INSHALLAH. Aameen.
can Pakistani agencies and state ensure,she is not extinguished once she gets well, by those barbarians...long shot.
@Jawad Khan! You are right
@Jawad Khan: Stop justifying the ttp crimes through USA. Condemn the crime of shooting an uarmed 14 year old girl who demands her right to be educated. You may refer to Hadith or Quran, but don't give me your USA tit for tat argument.
Get well soon dear sister!!!!
Strange Protest!! The girl was shot because she was promoting education and in return what did we do.. Protest to shut down schools for three days???
You are truly the beloved daughter of Pakistan. You are the FUTURE of Pakistan! Wishing you a very quick recovery & all the best in your life. Pakistan is proud of you.
@Jawad Khan: Taliban kill children of ahmeddiyas,shias,christians,sufis=Silence (its alright)
She should go abroad for medical treatment and stay abroad.
General Kayani, please send in wave two of operation black thunderstorm.. These cowards should be publicly executed and their bodies should be hung in city squares. If they will resort to barbarism, so shall the masses. Time to rise up and retaliate.
Prayers from India! May Pakistan get many more girls like her! May every father get a daughter like her who has the courage to stand up to evil!
Our heart bleeds after hearing news of killings ... but this news has taken the expat community in an entirely different manner. Can someone be so evil ... The question of them being human was long time over. Pakistan if not going to take action against these creature will be lost from the map. It is not time to submit ... but it is time as a nation to come out and clean our home.
Cruel act that. May she recover fast, amen!
She is my daughter, my sister whenever I thinking about her tears come to my eyes, Inshaallah she will be fine and normal and Allah will take the justice of those who did this barbarian act, simply they can not be Muslim.
This Girl is the Brave Face of an Ethical and Moral Pakistan. She is the Real Tsunami that can Signal to a return to Sanity for the Entire Country. Long Live Malala. Best Wishes from the People of India who are Praying for your Speedy Recovery.
It is very pathetic that religious extremists are targeting the school going girls.This sort of tendency of intolerance will further rise if our leadership does not abandon the policy of appeasement of bigotry forces for political and foreign policy goals.After the death of Quid-e Azam the policy was introduced with the passage of objective resolution in 1948. It was occasionally used as tool for political gains till the decade of 1970s. After the fall of King Zahir Shah regime in Afganistan in August 1973 it was made a key component of our forward Afghan Policy by the then political leadership without visualizing its negative impact on our hitherto relatively tolerant society.After the the induction of Russian troops in Afghanistan in December 1979, General Zia ul Haq fully capitalized on this policy for his legitimacy.Hence the climax of intolerance and total erosion of the writ of the state in which we are trapped today.
It is highly preturbing that not an iota of local clergy has come forward to condemn the barbaric act carried by TTP. Not only that they have committed cold blooded murder, but have vowed that they will kill her again if she [Malala Yousufzai] survives! Unless we wish to be run over by the Kharijites in the very near future, we need to wage war on them across the entire country, not just North Waziristan!
I am desperately praying for the health and life of this young beacon of hope. Shame on you, Taliban. Shame on you!
May Allah give her recovery. Ameen
Terrorist attack on Malala in fact attack against islamic education because Islam teaches us to respect women and children but I think Islam of Taliban some thing else. we pray that may almighty Allah give strong health to Malala and her friends Aameen.
......let us not forget the other little girl and the teacher injured in this criminal incident.
May Allah bless the girl with healthy and joyous life. (Aameen)
It’s time to understand ,what Taliban preaching which Islam. This brutality is totally against pakhtoon culture as well as Islam. These are defiantly are fanatics not Muslims.
nothing justifies attacking a helpless human being
Get well soon girl,may god take care of all of us.
First Aafia then Arfa and here goes Malala.. Pakistan still remains quiet! Yet, Pakistan Zindabad. Period.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is disobeying Mulah Omar who has explicitly ordered that Pakistanis should not be attacked. The Pakstan Army must, in collaboratio with Mullah Omar, start operation t extrminate TTP immediately. 14-year-old child activist Malala Yousufzai must be saved at all cost. May Allah save her - Ameen. Express News quoted sources as saying that the bullet had been removed during an operation done early Wednesday morning around 2am. Let's pray and hope that ET's report is correct and Malala Yousufzai is better now. Ameen.
A barbaric act.
I am sorry for my misinformation. But I had thought she had passed away. May Allah recover her soon. Amen