3 protesters are killed in clashes with police after Pakistan banned an ethnic rights group

Associated Press

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani police have clashed with supporters of a rights group for the Pashtun ethnic minority in the country’s northwestern angered by a government ban imposed on the organization this week, leaving three people dead. Officers fired tear gas and swung  batons to disperse hundreds of protesters on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the government banned the Pashtun Protection Movement, saying it supports the Pakistani Taliban. It also banned a rally by the group in the restive northwest, allegedly because it’s against the interests of Pakistan. The group denies the charges. The clashed took place in the town of Jamrud, near the city of Peshawar. Health officials say several injured demonstrators were taken to the hospital.