Taliban fires shots in air bringing Afghan women's protest in Kabul to abrupt end

Taliban special forces brought an abrupt and frightening end to the protest in Kabul by Afghan women demanding equal rights.

Kabul: Taliban special forces in camouflage fired their weapons into the air Saturday, bringing an abrupt and frightening end to the latest protest march in the capital by Afghan women demanding equal rights from the new rulers. The women's march " the second in as many days in Kabul " began peacefully. Demonstrators laid a wreath outside Afghanistan's Defense Ministry to honor Afghan soldiers who died fighting the Taliban before marching on to the presidential palace. "We are here to gain human rights in Afghanistan," said 20-year-old protester Maryam Naiby. "I love my country. I will always be here." As the protesters' shouts grew louder, several Taliban officials waded into the crowd to ask what they wanted to say.