Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- In a letter to a Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head on her way home from school, a senior Taliban commander purportedly tells her that she was targeted not because she advocated education for all girls, but rather for her criticism of the militant group. The letter attributed to Adnan Rashid was released just days after 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai took the stage at the United Nations, where she delivered an emotional plea for the right to go to school on behalf of all children. Malala was 15 when gunmen jumped on her school bus and shouted her name, scaring other girls into identifying her, in the Swat Valley on October 9, 2012. The attack sparked massive protests in Pakistan and condemnation worldwide.
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A letter purportedly from Adnan Rashid was made public this week
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The letter blames Malala Yousafzai's actions for the attack on her
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In the letter, Rashid says he was shocked by the attack
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He urges her to return to Pakistan
Nearly 400 prisoners were freed in the jailbreak, which authorities believe was staged to get Rashid out, a former @placeholder Air Force officer.