Despite the promise of peace in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Thursday fired on protesters waving the national flag in the city of Asadabad which led to a stampede, killing many, reported news agency Reuters. In the first signs of popular opposition to the insurgents, the protesters in Asadabad were reportedly waving the national flag after tearing down the white flags of the Taliban. It isn’t clear whether the casualties resulted directly from the firing or the subsequent stampede.
“Hundreds of people came out on the streets,” Reuters quoted a witness named Mohammed Salim as saying. “At first I was scared and didn’t want to go but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in I took out the flag I have at home.”
“Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban,” the witness from the eastern city, the capital of Kunar province, added.
The Taliban has not commented on the incident yet.
The local media has reported about similar protests in the eastern city of Jalalabad and a district of Paktia province with no reports of serious violence.
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