PAN, July 5, 2011

Hundreds rally in Kunar against Pakistani attacks

The protestors condemned the attacks and chanted slogans against Pakistan and its intelligence service, the ISI

By Khan Wali Salarzai

PAN, Jul. 5, 2011: Hundreds of people took to the streets here on Tuesday to condemn cross- border attacks into eastern Kunar province from Pakistan.

Hundreds of people took to the streets here on Tuesday to condemn cross- border attacks into eastern Kunar province from Pakistan.

Pakistani forces have been firing rockets, missiles and artillery shells into villages in Kunar. So far a number of people have been killed and wounded and hundreds more displaced by the shelling.

Around 300 residents of Asadabad, the provincial capital, participated in the demonstration, which began at 10:00 am.

The protestors condemned the attacks and chanted slogans against Pakistan and its intelligence service, the ISI.

Shah Mahmood, a former brigadier general who took part in the demonstration, claimed Pakistani forces had fired 625 shells into different parts of Kunar province, killing dozens of people.

The Afghanistan government and international troops should respond to the attacks, he said, urging the government to cut off diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

Ashiqullah, another protestor, said the government should provide weapons to residents to defend the country's borders.

The protest dispersed peacefully at 11:30 am amid tight security measures by police.

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