Fifteen men and two women who were partying were found beheaded in southern Helmand province on Momday in Afghanistan. Taliban had blamed for the act as a punishment for a mixed-sex party which included singing and dancing.

The headless bodies were found in a house in the Musa Qala distrrict which is 75 km away fromt the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, according to the distirct governer, Nimatullah.

"The victims threw a late-night dance and music party when the Taliban attacked"  Mr Nimatullah said talking to Reuters.

No outfit in the country had claimed to be responsible for the acts.

The Ultra-conservative atmosphere of Afghanistan forbids mixed sex parties with dancing and singing unless they are related. Such parties are extremely rare and secretive.

Taliban mercilessly goes down on flirting, open display of affection and the mixed-sex partys.

Afghanistan remains one of the worst places on earth to be a woman, even after the US NATO and the Afghan forces have fought the Taliban who have earlier imposed strict rules banning women from voting, not allowing them to go to work, or even outside without being accompanied by their husbands or male relatives.

(AW_ Anil)