Afghanistan: Americans shot dead during Koran protest

Kabul, 23 Feb. (AKI) - A man in eastern Afghanistan dressed in an Afghan military uniform shot dead two American soldiers during a protest against the burining of the Koran.

The violence at the base in Nangarhar province came on the heels of a call by the Taliban to target Nato bases and kill foreigners to avenge the burning of Korans.

At least five people have died since protests broke out on Tuesday sparked by Afghan workers at the American Bagram Air Field who spotted soldiers disposing of Korans among and other books in a pit where garbage is burned. The US has since apologized and described the incident as inadvertent.

In a statement a Taliban spokesman said Afghans should "not stop at protesting" attack military bases to "teach them a lesson that they will never again dare to insult the Holy Koran".