An Afghan policeman near the border with Iran (file photo) (AFP)
August 13, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Iranian border guards have shot dead four Afghans in the western Afghan province of Herat, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan and Radio Farda reported.
The reason for the fatal shootings on August 11 is not yet clear, but local Afghan authorities said they have asked Iranian officials for an explanation.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry has said it is investigating the matter, while Iran has yet to make any official comments.
RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports that the incident set off angry protests in Herat.
Relations between Iran and Afghanistan were strained earlier this year by Tehran's forcible repatration of tens of thousands of Afghan refugees.
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on Afghanistan by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report."