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Afghan Koran burning at Bagram sparks fresh protests Four die in Afghanistan Koran burning protests
(about 1 hour 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. At least four people have been killed and 20 injured in Afghanistan after 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. One person was 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.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.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 slogansPro-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.
There were several demonstrations across Nangarhar province and at least two in the main city of Jalalabad. The first happened at the university. Students were angry, chanting slogans against Americans and against US troops. They were determined but not violent.There were several demonstrations across Nangarhar province and at least two in the main city of Jalalabad. The first happened at the university. Students were angry, chanting slogans against Americans and against US troops. They were determined but not violent.
A second demonstration elsewhere in the city turned ugly. I arrived as injured protesters were being taken to hospital in ambulances and private cars. People said the US apology was not enough. Oil tankers had been set ablaze.A second demonstration elsewhere in the city turned ugly. I arrived as injured protesters were being taken to hospital in ambulances and private cars. People said the US apology was not enough. Oil tankers had been set ablaze.
The protesters' message was that Afghans respect the religion of troops inside Afghanistan, so why have they failed to respect Islam and the Koran? The protesters' message was that Afghans respect the other religions of troops inside Afghanistan, so why have they failed to respect Islam and the Koran?
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.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.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.One protester in Kabul was killed and 10 wounded.
Two further deaths were reported in the Shinwari district of Parwan province, north of Kabul.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.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. Protesters burned an effigy of US President Barack Obama in Jalalabad, and BBC Afghan reporter Babrak Miakhel 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.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 investigationIsaf 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 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 protesters.
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.