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Afghan Koran burning at Bagram sparks fresh protests | Afghan Koran burning at Bagram sparks fresh protests |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least 10 people have been injured and shots fired at protests in the Afghan capital Kabul over the burning of copies of the Koran at a US airbase. | |
Protests are also under way in the eastern city of Jalalabad. | |
On Tuesday, the US commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, apologised after Korans were "inadvertently" put in an incinerator at Bagram airbase. | |
US officials reportedly believed Taliban prisoners were using the books to pass messages to each other. | |
The charred remains of the volumes were found by local labourers. | |
Pro-Taliban slogans | Pro-Taliban slogans |
Protesters in Kabul shouted, "Death to America!" and threw stones at Camp Phoenix, the main US base in the city. | |
Witnesses at the protests in Kabul said security guards were firing into the air. There are also reports of people chanting pro-Taliban slogans. | Witnesses at the protests in Kabul said security guards were firing into the air. There are also reports of people chanting pro-Taliban slogans. |
Demonstrators blocked the road linking Kabul with Jalalabad, one of the main trade routes into the Afghan capital. | |
A riot police unit was attacked by protesters in Kabul and fled, the AFP news agency reported. | A riot police unit was attacked by protesters in Kabul and fled, the AFP news agency reported. |
One protester, 18-year-old Ajmal, told Reuters: "When the Americans insult us to this degree, we will join the insurgents." | One protester, 18-year-old Ajmal, told Reuters: "When the Americans insult us to this degree, we will join the insurgents." |
The US embassy in Kabul has tweeted that it is on lockdown and all travel is suspended. | The US embassy in Kabul has tweeted that it is on lockdown and all travel is suspended. |
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said he and Gen Allen apologised to the Afghan people "and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms". | US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said he and Gen Allen apologised to the Afghan people "and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms". |
After previous incidents, many Afghans find it hard to understand how US forces could have allowed the Koran to have been burned, says the BBC's Andrew North, in Kabul. | |
Afghanistan is a very religious country, he adds, but also one where many people are illiterate and susceptible to attempts to whip up anger. | |
Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence. | |
Last year, at least 24 people died in protests after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida. | Last year, at least 24 people died in protests after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida. |
On Tuesday, one person was wounded and five detained after troops at Bagram, 60km (40 miles) north of Kabul, fired rubber bullets at protests. | On Tuesday, one person was wounded and five detained after troops at Bagram, 60km (40 miles) north of Kabul, fired rubber bullets at protests. |
Bagram includes a prison for Afghans detained by Nato forces. | Bagram includes a prison for Afghans detained by Nato forces. |
Are you in Afghanistan? Are you taking part in the protests? Please send us your comments. |