Reconstructive operations planned for shot Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai

Doctors treating Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen, are planning the reconstructive operations to treat her horrific injuries.

The 14-year-old was flown to Birmingham Airport yesterday and transferred to the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which has a decade's experience of treating British military casualties.

Dr Dave Rosser, the hospital's medical director, explained experienced surgeons are going over the procedures Malala will need as part of her "prolonged care" on the road to physical and psychological recovery.

"It's obvious that Malala will need reconstructive surgery, and we have international experts in that field, so it's beginning to plan for reconstructive surgery," he said.

Dr Rosser said there had been a security incident overnight in which people falsely claiming to be Malala's family were detained by police, but West Midlands Police later clarified no arrests were made and the two visitors were well-wishers.

The teenager was shot with two classmates as they made their way home from school in Swat, in the north west of Pakistan.

She was attacked by the Taliban for promoting the education of girls and criticising the militant group in what Foreign Secretary William Hague described as a "barbaric attack".

Malala was saved by neurosurgeons in a Pakistani military hospital and has since been in intensive care. She was transferred to the UK by an air ambulance arranged by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mr Hague has said: "Malala's bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to us all.

"Our thoughts remain with Malala and her family at this difficult time.

"The public revulsion and condemnation of this cowardly attack shows that the people of Pakistan will not be beaten by terrorists.

"The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism."

PA