17 civilians beheaded at Afghan 'mixed sex' party.

Seventeen civilians have been beheaded by Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan for attending a party, government officials say.

The bodies of two women and 15 men were found by the side of a road in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

Meanwhile, 10 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in the same province.

In eastern Afghanistan, two US soldiers were shot dead by an Afghan National Army soldier.

The bodies of the 17 civilians, which were discovered on Monday morning, were said to show signs of beatings. Some had gunshot wounds.

Local officials said the men had gathered to listen to music and watch the women dance when they were attacked. The Taliban disapprove of men and women mixing socially