Afghan Villagers Accuse NATO Troops Of Damaging Koran

KABUL -- Protesters in the eastern Afghan town of Terenkot have accused some NATO-led forces of showing disrespect for the Koran, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan (RFA) reports.

A demonstrator told RFA during the protest on July 29 that many villagers witnessed some soldiers from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) ripping parts of the Koran and stepping on the Muslim holy book.

Angry protesters carrying what they claimed was the damaged Koran headed to the provincial governor's office in Terenkot, the capital of Uruzgan Province.

Police dispersed the crowd by firing into the air.

Roads connecting Terenkot to other districts were closed and shops and local business shuttered.

A local police chief told RFA that at least four police officers were injured by stones thrown by the protesters. He said he had no information about any alleged act of disrespect to Islamic values.