Wednesday, May 2, 2012

More than 1,500 supporters from a pro-Taliban Islamic party have rallied in southwestern Pakistan to condemn the killing of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden by US forces a year ago.

The protest came a day after the President Barack Obama visited neighboring Afghanistan on the anniversary of bin Laden's killing.

A spokesman for the Jamiat-e-Ulema Pakistan Party said more than 1,500 supporters burned U.S. flags at Wednesday's rally in the southwestern city of Quetta.

Spokesman Abdul Sattar Chisti said the party handed out free food to hundreds of needy people. Muslims distribute food to seek God's blessings for their beloved ones after their death.

The U.S. commandos killed bin Laden in a secret operation last year without informing Pakistan in advance.