Afghans protest burning of Korans at Bagram airbase

Afghans throw stones toward a U.S. airbase during a protest against the alleged ‘Koran burning’ by U.S. troops, in Bagram, about 40 miles north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday. Thousands of Afghans took to the streets in Bagram to protest the ‘burning of the Koran’ by NATO-led troops, officials said. (S. Sabawoon / EPA)

Feb. 21, 2012 12 AM PT

An Afghan man aims a slingshot toward U.S. soldiers at the gate of Bagram airbase during a protest against Koran desecration. Afghan protesters firing slingshots and petrol bombs besieged one of the largest U.S.-run military bases in Afghanistan, furious over reports that NATO had set fire to copies of the Koran. (Shah Marai / AFP)

A U.S. soldier wields an assault rifle while standing at the gate of Bagram airbase during a protest against Koran desecration. (Massoud Hossaini / AFP)

Afghans throw stones toward a U.S. airbase during a protest against the alleged ‘Koran burning.’ ‘Protest is ongoing right now in front of Bagram airport gate and nearly 3,000 people are protesting right now,’ said Roshana Khalid, a spokeswoman for Parwan provincial government. (S. Sabawoon / EPA)

U.S. soldiers, background, stand along the perimeter gate of Bagram airbase during a protest against Koran desecration. (Massoud Hossaini / AFP)

Afghan youth take cover from rubbers bullets shot by U.S. soldiers at the gates of Bagram airbase during a protest against Koran desecration Tuesday. (Shah Marai / AFP)