"We strongly condemn the shooting of Malala. Directing violence at children is barbaric, it's cowardly, and our hearts go out to her and the others who were wounded, as well as their families," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
She was responding to a question on the attack on Malala, the National Peace Award winner, by the terrorist outfit.
Accepting responsibility of the attack, Taliban alleged that she was propagating anti-Taliban and 'secular' thoughts among the youth of the area.