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Afghan demonstrators 'shot dead' Afghan demonstrators 'shot dead'
(10 minutes later)
Afghan police have shot dead at least five demonstrators in Shiberghan, the capital of the northern province of Jowzjan, witnesses said.Afghan police have shot dead at least five demonstrators in Shiberghan, the capital of the northern province of Jowzjan, witnesses said.
The demonstrators were supporters of the controversial Uzbek leader Gen Rashid Dostum.The demonstrators were supporters of the controversial Uzbek leader Gen Rashid Dostum.
They were demanding the resignation of the provincial governor. Nato-led troops have been deployed in the city.They were demanding the resignation of the provincial governor. Nato-led troops have been deployed in the city.
At least 11 people have been killed in other parts of the country, in violence blamed on the Taleban. There has been violence in several other parts of the country, with at least 30 people reported killed.
Critical conditionCritical condition
About 1,000 supporters of General Dostum were protesting outside government offices in Shiberghan. Some reports say they were throwing stones.About 1,000 supporters of General Dostum were protesting outside government offices in Shiberghan. Some reports say they were throwing stones.
Key Afghan figuresKey Afghan figures
Gen Dostum and the provincial governor, Kham Hamdard, used to be close allies, but the BBC's Daud Qarizadah in Kabul says political differences have emerged recently and the two men are now rivals.Gen Dostum and the provincial governor, Kham Hamdard, used to be close allies, but the BBC's Daud Qarizadah in Kabul says political differences have emerged recently and the two men are now rivals.
As well as the five dead, some 35 protesters were injured in the police firing. At least 10 are reported to be in a critical condition.As well as the five dead, some 35 protesters were injured in the police firing. At least 10 are reported to be in a critical condition.
Gen Dostum is one of the most controversial figures in Afghan politics.Gen Dostum is one of the most controversial figures in Afghan politics.
In the 1980s Gen Dostum backed the invading forces of the Soviet Union against the mujahideen rebels. He then played a prominent role in the civil war that destroyed much of the capital, Kabul, and left thousands dead.In the 1980s Gen Dostum backed the invading forces of the Soviet Union against the mujahideen rebels. He then played a prominent role in the civil war that destroyed much of the capital, Kabul, and left thousands dead.
In 2001, while helping the US, his militias were accused of suffocating hundreds of Taleban prisoners to death by locking them inside shipping containers.In 2001, while helping the US, his militias were accused of suffocating hundreds of Taleban prisoners to death by locking them inside shipping containers.
'Several bombs''Several bombs'
Elsewhere in Afghanistan, Taleban militants in Afghanistan have killed six police officers in an attack on their convoy in the south-eastern Paktika province, reports say. Elsewhere in Afghanistan, US-led coalition forces say more than 20 Taleban militants were killed after they ambushed a convoy of coalition troops and Afghan police in the southern province of Helmand.
A US statement said the convoy hit two roadside bombs in and then came under rocket and gunfire from the insurgents. The coalition called in air strikes to drive the militants back.
In the south-eastern province of Paktika, Taleban militants are reported to have killed six police officers in an attack on their convoy.
A government spokesman said the militants detonated several bombs as the convoy passed by, and opened fire.A government spokesman said the militants detonated several bombs as the convoy passed by, and opened fire.
There are also reports of two Taleban suicide attacks, one in northern Kunduz province, and one in Kunar, in the south-east. There are also reports of two Taleban suicide attacks, one in northern Kunduz province, and one in Kunar, in the south-east with a number of civilians killed.
Bloodshed in Afghanistan has returned to levels not seen since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with parts of the south and east particularly hard-hit.Bloodshed in Afghanistan has returned to levels not seen since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with parts of the south and east particularly hard-hit.
Analysts say the attacks are the Taleban's response to being squeezed by the build-up of foreign troops in the south and east and that they are very difficult to prevent.Analysts say the attacks are the Taleban's response to being squeezed by the build-up of foreign troops in the south and east and that they are very difficult to prevent.
Some 4,000 people are believed to have died in 2006 in the insurgency - about a quarter of them civilians.Some 4,000 people are believed to have died in 2006 in the insurgency - about a quarter of them civilians.
Earlier this month, Nato commander Gen Dan McNeill said that his forces were braced for a backlash following the killing of a top Taleban commander.Earlier this month, Nato commander Gen Dan McNeill said that his forces were braced for a backlash following the killing of a top Taleban commander.
Mullah Dadullah died in a clash with Afghan and Western forces in Helmand province.Mullah Dadullah died in a clash with Afghan and Western forces in Helmand province.