Reuters, September 7, 2021

Taliban fire in air after protesters, including women, join anti-Pakistan rally in Kabul

Video showed scores of people scurrying to escape volleys of gunfire after protests in Kabul

A Taliban fighter stands guard as Afghan women shout slogans during an anti-Pakistan protest rally, near the Pakistan embassy in Kabul. Photo: AFP

Taliban gunmen fired in the air on Tuesday to scatter protesters in the Afghan capital of Kabul, witnesses said, as video showed scores of people scurrying to escape volleys of gunfire, although there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Hundreds of men and women shouting slogans such as “Long live the resistance,” and “Death to Pakistan” marched in the streets to protest against the Taliban and what they called interference in Afghanistan’s affairs by neighbouring Pakistan.

A member of the Taliban forces points his gun at protesters, as Afghan demonstrators shout slogans during an anti-Pakistan protest, near the Pakistan embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan September 7, 2021. REUTERS

“The Islamic government is shooting at our poor people,” one panic-stricken woman on the street says over sounds of gunfire in a video clip shown on Iranian television news. There were no immediate reports of injuries, however.

The Taliban’s rapid advance across Afghanistan as US forces pulled out last month triggered a scramble to leave by people fearing reprisals.

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