Police beat back protesters demonstrating against a US military presence in Pakistan today, injuring 14 people and arresting about 100.
The protesters from the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party clashed with police after evading tight security in Jacobabad in southern Sindh province. The US military is using an air base there to provide logistical support for attacks on Afghanistan.
The clash came after hundreds of activists from the party, the largest religious party in the country, and other pro-Taliban groups were detained in the previous 24 hours in a government crackdown on anti-American demonstrations in the city, police and party sources said.
Party sources said they would attempt more protests after Mr Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the head of the party, vowed to defy a government ban on the demonstration.
Mr Ahmed said the party would continue its peaceful campaign until the removal of Gen Pervez Musharraf's government.
Military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf has offered logistical support to the US war on terrorism and is faced with anti-American sentiment at home, especially among pro-Taliban Islamic groups.
The local administration called in at least 2,000 police from nearby towns to tighten security in and around Jacobabad. Police had set up at least 200 check posts at all the entry points, witnesses said today.