Malala Yousafzai has successful cranial surgery

Schoolgirl shot by Taliban is making good progress after what is hoped will be her final bout of surgery

15-year-old Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban last October, has had successful cranial surgery.

Doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham confirmed that Yousafzai underwent the procedures yesterday and they are 'very pleased' with her progress after the five-hour operation.

A spokesperson has said: 'Both operations were a success and Malala is now recovering. 'Her condition is described as stable and her medical team are very pleased with the progress she has made so far. She is awake and talking to staff and members of her family.'

She had a fitting of a custom-made titanium plate to repair damage to her skull and a cochlear implant to help her recover hearing in her left ear. It could take 15-18 months for her to recover hearing but in time would have almost normal levels thanks to the surgery.

Yousafzai, a women's rights activist, was flown to Britain for specialist treatment after being shot by the Taliban at point-blank range.

She has since been nominated for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

LATEST WORLD NEWS