Taliban attack against a girl creates Furor

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 10, 2012, 13:20 Updated : October 10, 2012, 13:20
An attack by Taliban gunmen in north-west Pakistan that wounded a 14-year-old who campaigned for girls‘ rights has caused an outcry in the country.

The news was announced earlier today that Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head on her way home from school in Mingora, the main town in the Swat Valley. The president and prime minister have led condemnation of the attack.

Initial reports suggested she was out of danger, but there is growing concern over her condition with some reports saying she may need treatment abroad.

A Pakistani Taliban spokesman told the reporters they carried out the attack. One explained over the phone that they attacked her because she was anti-Taliban and secular, adding that she would not be spared.

Malala Yousafzai came to public attention in 2009 by writing a diary for BBC Urdu about life under Taliban militants who had taken control of the valley.

Some residents within the country say that the attack maybe a turning point for the country and could start turning on Taliban forces within the country. However, most analysts concur that without significant pressure, most extremist forces within Pakistan are unlikely to relinquish control.

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