Malala, who spoke against the Taliban, was shot in the head on October 9, 2012.
The police identified Atta Ullah Khan, a 23-year-old man from the Swat district, as the primary suspect.
The police said they were tracing down Khan, who was a student of a master’s degree in chemistry. He had studied for his Bachelor of Science degree in physics at Jahanzeb College in Swat.
The school’s principal, Alam Zeb, said that Khan had given school officials three or four dates of birth. While condemning the attack, Zeb said that he was surprised to hear that a former student of the college may have been involved.
In addition to arresting six men -- all of them from Swat – the police also arrested Khan’s mother, brother and fiancée, CNN reported.
A senior official told CNN that the suspect’s relatives were not accused of involvement.
The official did clarify Khan’s role in the shooting.
Malala had come under attack when she was on her way home from school. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Eshanullah Ehsan had claimed that the militant group was behind the attack.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier claimed that the attackers had been identified.
Malala won international recognition for a blog about the horrors of life under the Taliban and a campaign for the right to an education, is the highest-profile target of militants in Swat for more than three years.
COMMENTS (23)
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This man is disgusting!! How dare he shoot Malala!! What an ugly terrorist!!
New Drama, first the killers travelled all the way from northern afghanistan to here and killed malala and went back, now this new drama says that they belong to Sawat colege, come on grow up Pakistani meid ainstead of copying CNN make your own news sources
@Zahid Hamid:
Why does USA always get blamed for something what pakistan does and just grow up zahid this all is not a joke so keep your sarcastic jokes by you and if you think like that then go back home were they need people like you.
There alot of muslims who are educated and still think backwards and think Allah would be happy with them if they are part of the taliban but no they are wrong bcz all they do is kill innocent people and we dont need people like that in this world.
Who ever was involved in this attack should get punished because no one wants people that kill or try killing innocent people like Malala and the USA has not told muslims to become a taliban also these days even educated people join forces with the taliban but one day they all will be punished.
I am proud of Malala and my prayers are with her and her family all the way and a girl like her deserves happiness who faught for her rights but not just her rights for other girls rights so hope she lives long and is always happy.
@Zaid Hamid: Thumb up signe at your post indicates how deeply brainwashed is this nation by bigots through media.Ata ullah is guilty or not is another thing but immediately taking refuge in conspiracy theories shows nothing but weakness and lack of maturity.
It is not just a matter of this particular individual. It is about the whole environment of suppression that nurtures this kind of violence. Who knows how many more Ataullahs are out there waiting for the order and opportunity to shoot unsuspecting fellow human beings because they don't seem to be following an "acceptable" life style. The act he committed is abhorrent and he must be punished accordingly.
The fact that a person pursuing a Masters of Science degree can shoot a 14-year-old schoolgirl point blank in the face for speaking out for girls' education speaks volumes about how far down the abyss this nation is.
I think @Zaid Hamid's comment is sarcastic and he is probably making fun of Indian playback singer Himesh Reshammiya who always wears a hat and sports a beard and mustache.
@Cautious
Atta Ullah Khan (isa khelwi) is a famous folk artist. Zaid Hamid is always sarcastic
The police said they were tracing down Khan, who was a student of a master’s degree in chemistry
Another 'Water Car Scientist' in the making?
PS- It also proves that Madarassas have nothing to do with terrorism.
@Cautious: I have seen many of Zaid Hamid's previous posts. It is very clear he is being sarcastic.
@Yuri : good one
My concern is that this was not some brainwashed madrassah product but someone studying for his master's degree in science. What this proves is that simplistic solutions of educating people will not solve the problem. The problem is not one of lack of education but the type of education which starts with indoctrination at school level and which is reinforced by media.
@Ali Riaz
Moderator fail haha
Kaho na pyar haaai :D
@Zaid Hamid
I don't know whether this guy has anything to do with this crime but your opinion that he is being falsely accused because of pressure from the USA is nonsense - just more anti USA blather. Is there any problem in Pakistan that you guys won't pin on the USA? . Maybe someone should consult with your FO as they just told the American envoy that another guy was responsible and that Afghanistan should turn him over.
@Zaid Hamid:
He is also the younger brother of Amar Singh.
Arresting mother and fiance? Will any liberals, NGOs, others speak up. under what morality, law or what ever could justify this action. how could one wrong justify another. Actually this exposes all those who talk about women rights, etc. you are not working or standing for an idea but for your own or your master's vested interests. People working and believing in ideas don't create exceptions.
its mean you know him will. if in your opinion he is not guilty he may come forward tell the real story through media@Zaid Hamid:
Find him, try him and execute him!!
Atta Ullah Khan is a respectable singer. The government is framing him under US pressure.