Demonstrators protest alleged killing

KABUL, Afghanistan – Dozens of protesters blocked a road Saturday in eastern Afghanistan, claiming U.S.-led coalition forces killed three civilians, and a local official said police fatally shot one of the protesters and injured three of them.

Villagers from the area carried three bodies to a major highway during the protest. Police allegedly opened fire, killing one and wounding three.

The coalition said its troops were attacked Friday while searching compounds in the Shinwar district of Nangarhar province. In a statement Saturday the coalition said several militants were killed and nine insurgents were arrested in an operation targeting a “foreign fighter network” and that militants in the area had recently attacked coalition forces.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said the government is investigating the villagers’ claims.