Islamabad, Oct 10 (IANS): A bullet that pierced the head of child peace campaigner Malala Yousufzai, who was shot at by the Taliban, was removed in the early hours of Wednesday, a media report said.

The bullet was taken out by the doctors in Peshawar Wednesday morning, but she was still unconscious, Geo New reported.

Mumtaz, surgeon professor, said the operation was conducted at 2 a.m. and continued until 5 a.m. The bullet that had pierced Malala's head and travelled to her shoulder was successfully taken out, he said.

Malala's condition was expected to improve.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had turned one of its aircraft into an air-ambulance in case the need arose to fly Malala to Dubai for treatment.

PIA Managing Director Junaid Yunus had said the makeshift air-ambulance was ready to airlift the critically injured 14-year-old from Peshawar to Dubai.

Malala, Pakistan's first National Peace Award winner, was shot and seriously injured in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Tuesday.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they would target her again if she survived because she was "secular-minded".

She was on her way home from school when an attacker wearing police uniform stopped the school bus and opened fire at her. Malala was seriously wounded, while two other girls incurred slight injuries.

The girl received fame in Pakistan and abroad due to her struggle for restoration of peace in Swat area.

When Taliban banned education for females in the district, she not only continued her education but also raised voice for women and children's rights by writing letters to foreign radio stations and newspapers.