Taliban fighters fired into the air on Saturday to disperse a women's protest in the Afghan capital, days ahead of the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists' return to power.

About 40 women - chanting "Bread, work and freedom" - marched in front of the Education Ministry building in Kabul, before the fighters dispersed them by firing their guns into the air. Some women protesters who took refuge in nearby shops were chased and beaten by Taliban fighters with their rifle butts.