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Extradition of Taliban suspect sought

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Pakistan asked Afghanistan to turn over a Taliban suspect in the shooting of teenage education activist Malala Yousufzai, who is hospitalized in Britain.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar asked for the extradition of Maulana Fazlullah, a Taliban field commander believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, officials said.

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She made the request in Islamabad at a weekend meeting with Mark Grossman, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Khaama Press reported Monday.

Foreign Ministry officials said Grossman was told the United States should assist in extraditing Fazlullah, who Pakistan officials say was involved in the attack on the 15-year-old girl.

Malala is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was shot by the Taliban this month for her advocacy of education for girls, authorities said.

Fazlullah and his followers were believed to be hiding in Afghanistan's Kunar province, Pakistani officials said.

Fazlullah is the leader of banned militant group Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi and sometimes is called the chief of the Swat Valley Taliban, Khaama Press said. Malala was shot in her hometown of Mingora in the Swat Valley.

The teen was transported to Britain last week. Doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham said during the weekend they were upbeat about her progress and that she needs rest before undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair the part of her skull damaged when she was shot.

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