The Taliban have fired shots to disperse the crowd at a large protest in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Video footage from the scene shows people running to safety, while heavy gunfire can be heard in the background.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets on Tuesday to demand women’s rights and denounce Taliban rule.

Protesters also chanted anti-Pakistan slogans, as many believe neighbouring Pakistan supports the Taliban, which the country denies.

A video sent to the BBC shows Taliban fighters firing their guns into the air – a move the group banned last week after several people were reportedly killed after the celebratory aerial fire.

Some journalists, including the BBC’s team, were prevented from filming at the rally, and Afghanistan’s Tolo News agency reported that its cameraman was arrested along with some other local and foreign media workers.

Women have been protesting for the past week, but on Tuesday men also joined their calls for equality and safety. Many observers had commented that there were few men at the previous women-led rallies.

The demonstrations came a day after the leader of the anti-Taliban fighters, Ahmad Massoud, called for a “national uprising” by civilians against the militants.

Source:bbc.com