Afghan police opened fire Wednesday and killed at least two rioters in a crowd protesting against political cartoons that depict the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a terrorist.

Several police officers and protesters were wounded during the clash in Qalat, capital of Afghanistan's southern Zabul province.

Police had been pelted with stones just before the shootings. They were firing their weapons into the air, trying to control more than 400 demonstrators.

Protests against the controversial prophet drawings have erupted this week across the Islamic world. Today's clash in Qalat raised the death toll in Afghanistan to six. Several protesters also have been hurt in Indian Kashmir.

Denmark, where the Muhammad drawings were first published, has urged its nationals to leave Indonesia and Iranian for their own safety. Attacks have been aimed at Danish diplomatic offices in Tehran, Beirut and other places, including Syria.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.