KHAR, March 13: Thousands of people demonstrated here on Thursday in protest against the killing of civilians in a clash between Bajaur Scouts and militants.

On a call given by the Jamaat-i-Islami, tribesmen from different villages in the Bajaur agency took out a procession.

They were carrying black flags, banners and placards and raising slogans against the United States and President Pervez Musharraf.

About eight people, three of them from the same family, were killed when Nawagai Bazaar and adjoining localities were shelled on Tuesday night.

Former MNA Sahibzada Haroonur Rashid, JI Bajaur Amir Sardar Khan, Malak Mohammad Aziz Khan and Maulana Wahid Gul addressed the protesters.

They condemned the killing and attack on civilian and accused the government of targeting religious-minded people in Fata. They warned that it would further aggravate the already volatile situation.