At Least Four Injured in Afghan Protest (Firefight, Former Army Officers)

[DUreader]

I have to wonder who fired first.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3421701,00.html



KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A demonstration by
former Defense Ministry employees demanding
back pay turned violent on Sunday, with
protesters shooting out windows at ministry
building and soldiers firing into the crowd. At least
four people were hurt, witnesses and authorities
said.

About 1,000 former army officers and other
Defense Ministry personnel were involved in the
protest, which grew louder as the crowd neared
the ministry grounds. About 200 of the
demonstrators rushed through the gates, and
several opened fire, ministry spokesman Gen.
Zahir Azmi said.

``They broke windows inside the Defense Ministry
by shooting their pistols. The soldiers had no
choice but to fire back,'' Azmi told The
Associated Press.

Azmi said four protesters were wounded, one
seriously. All four were brought to a nearby
hospital