Malala attack plan hatched in Afghanistan: Malik
17 October, 2012
PESHAWAR: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has announced $1 million bounty on the head of the leader of TTP that accepted responsibility for the attack on Malala Yousufzai, and has claimed the attack was planned in Afghanistan.
"This conspiracy assassination plan was made across the border in Afghanistan. Of course, Mullah Fazlullah, who had fled away when we took action in Malakand, Swat. And this transpired there; four people came from there," Malik said in an interview with CNN.
About the bounty, he said, "[…] we want to definitely get him and all our line forces, intelligence agencies are hunting all those who were involved."
Meanwhile, during his visit to Mingora, Malik told reporters latest intelligence reports suggested the TTP was considering replacing its "inactive" chief Hakeemullah Mehsud with Mullah Fazlullah.
He was in Mingora to inquire after Kainat, one of the two girls injured in the attack on Malala on October 9. The reason Fazlullah was being considered was because current chief Hakeemullah had gone 'underground' and was inactive, he added. Malik also announced conferment of Sitara-e-Shujaat on Malala for her activism for girls' education and peace despite threats.
Taliban say attack on Malala justified
Taliban insurgents said on Tuesday that Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head by its gunmen, deserved to die because she had spoken out against the group and praised US President Barack Obama.
Pakistan's Taliban described Yousufzai as a "spy of the West".
"For this espionage, infidels gave her awards and rewards. And Islam orders killing of those who are spying for enemies," the group said in a statement. "She used to propagate against mujahideen to defame (the) Taliban.
The Quran says that people propagating against Islam and Islamic forces would be killed. "We targeted her because she would speak against the Taliban while sitting with shameless strangers and idealized the biggest enemy of Islam, Barack Obama."
Malala, who had wanted to become a doctor before agreeing to her father's wishes that she strive to be a politician, has become a potent symbol of resistance against the Taliban's efforts to deprive girls of an education.
Pakistanis have held some protests and candlelight vigils but most government officials have refrained from publicly criticising the Taliban.
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