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FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 file photo, Pakistani students hold pictures of 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, who was shot last Tuesday by the Taliban, during a protest condemning the attack, in Karachi, Pakistan. Despite widespread outr Fareed Khan, File, Associated Press
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Indian students participate in a prayer ceremony in support of and for the recovery of 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head last Tuesday by the Taliban for speaking out in support of education for women, at a school in Ahmadab Ajit Solanki, Associated Press
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FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, is moved to a helicopter to be taken to Peshawar for treatment in Mingora, Swat Valley, Pakistan. Despite widespread outrage over the Taliban shooting a female teena Sherin Zada, File, Associated Press
By Associated Press

KHAR, Pakistan — Pakistani intelligence officials say one of the two Taliban militants suspected of attacking a teenage girl activist was detained by the military in 2009 but subsequently released.

The officials say the military detained Attaullah during its offensive in the northwest Swat valley because of suspected ties with the Pakistani Taliban. Authorities released him because they could not link him with any specific attack. It's unclear how long he was held.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Thursday because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

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Fourteen-year-old Malala Yousufzai was shot and critically wounded on Oct. 9 as she headed home from school in Swat. The Taliban said they targeted her because she promoted Western values and was critical of the militant group.

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