Pakistan: Three killed in 'cartoons' protest

Protesters burned a KFC restaurant and cinemas today in Pakistan’s biggest protest yet against the Prophet Mohammed cartoons – the third straight day of violent demonstrations in the Islamic nation.

Three people were confirmed dead with scores injured during the protests in two cities.

More than 70,000 people flooded into the streets of the north-western city of Peshawar, said Saeed Wazir, a senior police officer.

The massive crowd went on a rampage, torching businesses and fighting police, who struck back with tear gas and batons.

As the violence raged in Peshawar, fighting flared up in the eastern city of Lahore.

About 1,500 students surprised police by staging an unannounced rally outside Punjab University, said Chaudhry Shafqat, a senior police official.

Paramilitary forces were deployed to help restore order, and the government announced that schools and colleges would be closed in north-western Pakistan for one week to protect students from violence.