Malala Yousafzai Returns to Hometown in Shangla 13 Years After Assassination Attempt

By DTD- On Mar 6, 2025

SWAT: Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai returned to her home village of Barkana in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district on Wednesday, marking a significant and emotional visit 13 years after surviving an assassination attempt by militants.

Malala, who was 15 years old at the time, was shot in the head by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the Swat Valley in 2012. The attack occurred when militants boarded her school bus and shot her, leaving her critically injured. She was later evacuated to the United Kingdom for treatment.

This visit marked the first time Malala returned to her childhood home in Shangla since the attack. Reflecting on the visit, she shared her joy on social media, saying, “As a child, I spent every holiday in Shangla, Pakistan, playing by the river and sharing meals with my extended family. It was such a joy for me to return there today — after 13 long years — to be surrounded by the mountains, dip my hands in the cold river, and laugh with my beloved cousins. This place is very dear to my heart, and I hope to return again and again.”

Malala was accompanied by her father, husband, and brother for the high-security visit, which lasted three hours. The region was sealed off to ensure her safety, and the visit was kept a secret to prevent any untoward incidents. Even the locals were unaware of her plans to visit.

During her visit, Malala also visited local education projects supported by her Malala Fund, which works to promote education for girls around the world. Malala has become a leading global advocate for girls’ education, and at the age of 17, she became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

In a recent address, she called for action against the Afghan Taliban, who have imposed restrictions on girls’ education, and expressed her concerns over the ongoing violence in Pakistan, including a recent attack in Bannu. “I pray for peace in every corner of our beautiful country. The recent attacks, including in Bannu yesterday, are heartbreaking,” Malala said.