ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Hundreds of people rallied against blasphemous cartoons in Islamabad on Sunday despite a government ban and deployment of thousands of police men and paramilitary force, according to local press reports.

Pakistani Muslim protesters run as police fire teargas shells during a demonstration in Islamabad. (AFP)

    Clashes between the police and protesters continued in the city center for almost three hours. The police fired in the air and used hundreds of tear gas shells to disperse the angry demonstrators.

    Police also used batons to break up mostly youth demonstrators and arrested more than 100 of them. Two policemen were injured from stones thrown at them by angry protesters.

    The demonstrations concluded after three hours of clashes and hide-and-seek between the police and the demonstrators.

    Around 500 protesters gathered at the conclusion of the rally and dispersed after leaders delivered speeches, condemning the police action. The leaders said that they were holding peaceful demonstration but the police used force to stop the procession. Enditem