In Pakistan, a 14-year-old schoolgirl who spoke out against the atrocities of militants in their former stronghold of Swat has been shot at by the Taliban.

Malala Yousufzai, the first recipient of Pakistan's National Peace Award for Youth, was hit by two bullets when militants fired at her inside a school bus at Mingora, the main town of Swat Valley. One bullet hit her in the head.

She has been airlifted to a military hospital in Peshawar. Two other girls were also injured.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The US has strongly condemned the incident.

The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, repeated his offer for talks with Taliban today and once again called upon the armed outfit to give up fighting, join the peace process and help rebuild their country.

President Karzai made the offer at a press conference in his Palace after returning home from Japan. He said that Taliban elusive( भटकाने वाला) leader Mullah Mohammad Omar can return home and begin political activities instead of fighting.

Taliban militants fighting the government had in the past conditioned any talks with the withdrawal of NATO-led troops from Afghanistan, a pre-condition unacceptable to both the Afghan government and the military alliance at the moment.

The international community has pledged 16 billion U.S. dollars to Afghanistan for the next four years. President Karzai at the press conference also said his government is determined to fight against corruption and ensure good governance.

The eighteen member group of the Taliban insurgents in Northern Balkh province of Afghanistan renounced violence and joined the peace process in Chahar Bolack district on Wednesday.

According to the official information, they were engaged in anti-government activities. It is hoped that with the surrender of these insurgents security in the area would improve.