Officials say at least three protesters died and several were injured in a clash with police during a protest against the detention of an alleged insurgent in the northern Afghan province of Parwan today.

Earlier today, a crowd estimated at several thousand demonstrated in the provincial capital Charikar after the arrest of three men -- said to be local religious leaders -- by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces.

ISAF said two of those detained on Sunday were released, but one was still being held. The head of the provincial council, Ahmad Zaki Zahid accused "opportunists and enemies" of infiltrating the protest and shooting at the coalition forces.

He said three foreign soldiers were injured in the clash.