Afghan protester shot at military base

An international forces service member shot a protester who aimed his AK-47 toward a guard tower at a NATO military base in southern Afghanistan, military officials said Thursday.

The man was pulled away by fellow demonstrators before members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were able to determine his condition.

The protest of about 100 Afghans at Forward Operating Base Mirwais was reported to have been held in response to an alleged Quran burning inside the base Wednesday. But ISAF said the suspected burning was a routine burn-pit session in which military documents are destroyed.

The protest turned violent when the Afghans began throwing rocks at the base guards. ISAF said the armed protester was shot in accordance with the rules of engagement.

Also in southern Afghanistan, an international service member was killed Thursday in an insurgent attack. No other information, including the service member's nationality, was immediately available from ISAF.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a new warning of potential violence ahead of parliamentary elections Saturday. It alerted U.S. citizens to avoid crowds and public gatherings and said some road closures and check points at polling stations are to be expected.

At least three candidates and 13 of their supporters have been killed by insurgents. And the Taliban has said it will target polling stations.