Malala Yousufzai visits hometown in northwest Pakistan

Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai on Saturday visited her hometown in northwestern Pakistan for the first time after being shot by Taliban militants.

Accompanied by her parents, two brothers, and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the 20-year-old arrived in Swat Valley on a special army helicopter amid strict security.

In 2012, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban for promoting female education. She was taken to the U.K. for treatment, where she currently resides and attends the University of Oxford. In 2014, she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

"So much joy seeing my family home, visiting friends and putting my feet on this soil again," Malala tweeted after arriving at her house in Mingora city.

She also posted some aerial pictures of Swat valley from the helicopter with the caption: "Swat is the most beautiful place on the earth."

Malala was warmly welcomed by her relatives and school friends, local media reported. In an emotional moment, she even burst into tears.

She visited her old school and a cadet college.

"My first visit to Swat after more than five years since the attack. Today I felt so happy and proud of my land and culture," Malala wrote in guest book of the college, broadcaster Geo News reported.

The human rights activist arrived in the capital Islamabad on Friday where she met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

"Pakistan is proud of you and you are an asset for our country," the premier said.