WASHINGTON, Oct 10: US President Barack Obama sees the shooting of a 14-year-old Pakistani girl who protested against the Taliban as tragic and barbaric and has offered air ambulance services, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

“I know that the president found the news reprehensible and disgusting and tragic,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said, adding that US forces were ready to offer transport and treatment to Malala Yousafzai.

“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.”

Mr Carney said the US military had agreed to provide air ambulance services and medical treatment to Ms Malala if it became necessary.

Our Correspondent adds from Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Wednesday that the Taliban attack on Malala Yousufzai was a call of action for those working for women’s rights.

“The attack reminds us of the challenges that girls face, whether it is poverty or marginalisation or even violence just for speaking out for their basic rights,” she told a gathering at the State Department.

Secretary Clinton included her remarks about Malala in a speech she delivered at the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in the US.