Pakistani teen shot by Taliban returns to school

LONDON Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban, has returned to school for the first time since she was targeted.

A spokesman says the 15-year-old joined other girls at Edgbaston High School for Girls in Birmingham for her first day back at school on Tuesday.

Malala was airlifted to Britain for treatment after Taliban gunman shot her on Oct. 9 in northwestern Pakistan's Swat Valley. The militant group said it targeted her because she promoted "Western thinking."

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She was released in February from the hospital that was treating her for her injuries. Doctors said she was recovering well.

In a statement, Malala said she was excited "that today I have achieved my dream of going back to school."

"I want all girls in the world to have this basic opportunity," she said.

"I miss my classmates from Pakistan very much but I am looking forward to meeting my teachers and making new friends here in Birmingham."