Shia Muslims staged protests in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar on Thursday against the bombing of a revered mosque in the Iraqi town of Sammara.

Anti-US slogans rent the air as hundreds of people took to the streets in Zadibal, Saidakadal, Alamgari Bazaar and other parts of Srinagar against Wednesday's bombing of the Al-Askari mosque by suspected Sunni insurgents.

The angry protesters also burnt an effigy of US President George W Bush and also raised anti-Israel slogans.

Similar demonstrations took place in Shia-dominated areas of the Valley, including Budgam, Pattan, Khanda and Mirgund, officials said adding, the protests were peaceful.

Shops owned by members of Shia community downed their shutters in Budgam and downtown Srinagar to protest against the bombing, they said.

There were no reports of any untoward incident, officials said.

Caption: Shia Muslim activists shout anti-US slogans as they beat an effigy of US President George W Bush during a protest rally in Srinagar on Thursday.

Photograph: Getty Images