Police on Friday arrested four suspected militants, including a woman and the alleged mastermind of the attack on Malala Yousafzai, as doctors said the next 36 to 48 hours were critical for the teenage education activist.
Sources told Pakistan Today that the police had detained a large number of suspects in connection with the incident. While some have been freed, around 40 are still in police custody for interrogation, sources said. The suspects include Attaullah, the alleged mastermind of the attack, they added.
Police high-ups in Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain seemed reluctant to make comments on the status of Attaullah. However, some police officers confirmed that Attaullah was amongst the arrested persons. On the other hand, a military spokesman said the next 36-48 hours were critical for the teenage terror victim. “According to neurosurgeons and intensive care specialists, Malala Yousafzai’s health is satisfactory but the next 36 to 48 hours are critical,” Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, said while briefing reporters at the Armed Forces’ Institute of Cardiology (AFIC).
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Malala’s father to enquire about the condition of his 14-year-old daughter. He prayed for Malala’s early recovery and said that the prayers of the whole nation were with her. In addition, a delegation of political parties led by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf visited the AFIC to sympathise with the brave teenage girl. Also, special prayers were held across the country for the early recovery of the young girl who has become an icon of education in Pakistan and across the world.
Next 36 hours critical for Malala as attack mastermind is arrested
