VIDEO | Koran burning, three shot, 11 wounded as rage overcomes Afghanistan

The deaths have been announced amongst the confusion which exists over whether controversial US Pastor Terry Jones will go ahead or not with his plan to burn the Koran to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The pastor has agreed to call off the book-burning following alleged promises that a proposed mosque in New York would be moved away from the site of the 2001 attacks.

However, in a later interview with Sky News, Pastor Jones said that there will be no promise of cancellation of the event, but just suspending it, accusing a Muslim leader of lying to him about moving the planned Islamic centre.

“Given what we are now hearing, we are forced to rethink our decision. So as of right now, we are not cancelling the event, but we are suspending it," he said.

Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, said there was only an agreement for him and Jones to travel to New York to meet the Imam overseeing plans to build the mosque.

"I told the pastor that I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved," Mr Musri said.

"But there is not any offer from there (New York) that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution."

The issue has led to US President Barack Obama to plead with the pastor to 'reconsider' his action, as it would evidently trigger a string of acts of terror.

Afghani President Hamid Karzai has warned that any burning of the Koran book would spell 'horrific consequences'.