Jalalabad, Aug 18, 2021: At least three people were killed and another 12 wounded after gunmen opened fire at a crowd of protesters in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad on Wednesday.
The clash took place at Pashtunistan Square in the eastern city of Jalalabad, about 115 km from the capital city of Kabul.
Initial reports suggest that locals removed a Taliban flag that was hoisted in place of the black, red and green flag of the previous Afghan government at one of the roundabouts in the city.
One of the videos of the incident in Jalalabad shows multiple shots being fired in a crowded street as locals ran for their lives. The armed men who opened fire were Taliban fighters who were later seen charging at the crowd with batons, reported Al Jazeera.In another video, protesters can be seen waving the flag of the previous Afghan government as locals cheer them on.Jalalabad, incidentally, is also where August 19 is celebrated each year as the day on which the British recognised Afghan independence in 1919.
#Taliban firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. #Afghanidtan pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) August 18, 2021
The Taliban are yet to issue a statement on whether the men who fired at the crowd in Jalalabad were Taliban fighters.
Reports have also come to light of similar protests over the removal of the Afghan flag being held in Daronta square, near Jalalabad, as well as in Khost, which is about seven hours from Jalalabad. This signals the first signs of resistance against Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan following the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government in Kabul.
Protest in Jalalabad city in support of National flag.#Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/oxv3GL0hmS
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) August 18, 2021
Ever since they took control of Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban have been removing the black, red and green flag and replacing it with the black on white Taliban flag. Scores of Taliban fighters can be seen waving the Taliban flag and hoisting it on key buildings across Afghanistan, including in Kabul.
However, the Afghan flag was photographed atop the presidential palace in Kabul and even at the Hamid Karzai International airport earlier this week.
Courtesy:India Today