Norway-led peacekeeper base attacked in Afghanistan

February 7, 2006 Demonstrators today attacked a Norwegian peacekeeper base in Meymaneh,, north-west Afghanistan. The demonstrators fired at the base, threw hand grenades and. 32 Norwegian, 16 Finnish, three Latvian and one Icelandic peacekeepers were present at the camp during the attack, say the Norwegian Defence Forces.

According to local authorities, says, four demonstrators were killed. The amount of injured demonstrators varies between five and 30, depending on the source. In addition, five Norwegian peacekeepers were injured. The original attack consisted of around 700 demonstrators, says. There was a 'core' team of around 30 armed demonstrators within the crowd.

The peacekeepers fired teargas and warning shots in response to the demonstrators' attacks. Britain has, according to BBC, sent 120 reinforcements. Fighter airplanes have fired warning shots around the crowd. According to some sources, Afghani police and military were sent to the area as well.

The purpose of the demonstration remains unknown, say the, but it is believed that the demonstrations have a connection with the Muhammad cartoons published by.