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Afghan Koran burning at Bagram sparks fresh protests | Afghan Koran burning at Bagram sparks fresh protests |
(31 minutes later) | |
At least four people have been killed and 20 injured in Afghanistan as protests spread over the burning of copies of the Koran at a US airbase. | |
One person has been killed in Kabul, one in the eastern city of Jalalabad and two in Parwan province. | |
US officials apologised on Tuesday after Korans were "inadvertently" put in an incinerator at Bagram airbase. | |
Officials at Bagram 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. | 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. | Protesters in Kabul shouted, "Death to America!" and threw stones at Camp Phoenix, the main US base in the city. |
Riot police used water cannon to disperse protesters, some of whom were blocking the road leading to Jalalabad, one of the main trade routes into the capital. | |
Witnesses said security guards were firing into the air. There were also reports of people chanting pro-Taliban slogans. | |
One protester in Kabul was killed and 10 wounded. | |
Two further deaths were reported in the Shinwari district of Parwan province, north of Kabul. | |
A doctor in Jalalabad told the BBC one person had been killed and 10 injured. | |
Protesters burned an effigy of US President Barack Obama in Jalalabad, and a BBC reporter said oil tankers had been set on fire. | |
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 is on lockdown and all travel is suspended. | |
"Everyone is emotional," Kabul resident Mohammad Naseer Malikzai told the BBC. "I am hurting and disappointed. | "Everyone is emotional," Kabul resident Mohammad Naseer Malikzai told the BBC. "I am hurting and disappointed. |
"I created a Facebook group where I was disputing with a lot of people. The American apology is useless." | "I created a Facebook group where I was disputing with a lot of people. The American apology is useless." |
Isaf investigation | |
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. | 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. | 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. | Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence. |
The Nato-led Isaf force is now investigating the incident, a spokesman told the BBC. | The Nato-led Isaf force is now investigating the incident, a spokesman told the BBC. |
"It was the local workers who discovered the nature of the material and therefore stopped worse things from happening," said Brig Gen Karsten Jacobson. | "It was the local workers who discovered the nature of the material and therefore stopped worse things from happening," said Brig Gen Karsten Jacobson. |
"But it was a mistake and that's what we're investigating at the moment: how did this come to be, what orders were given? | |
"But at the end of the day we have to stand to the fact a mistake was made and the commander apologised." | "But at the end of the day we have to stand to the fact a mistake was made and the commander apologised." |
Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida. | Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan 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. | Are you in Afghanistan? Are you taking part in the protests? Please send us your comments. |