Warning: This article contains details that may disturb some readers.
The Taliban is being accused of killing a heavily pregnant police officer as violence escalates in Afghanistan.
The woman, identified in local media as Banu Negar, was beaten and shot as her family watched on in horror.
A spokesperson for the Taliban told the BBC they had no involvement in Negar's death and are investigating.
"We are aware of the incident and I am confirming that the Taliban have not killed her, our investigation is ongoing," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said.
He told the BBC her death was likely due to "personal enmity or something else". But multiple witnesses contradicted this claim, telling the outlet she was killed by the Taliban.
Negar's family told the BBC three men arrived at their home in Firozkoh on Saturday. They proceeded to search the property before tying the family up and shooting Negar in front of her husband and children. She was eight months pregnant, her family says.
Graphic photos taken by her family show blood splatters on the wall and Negar's disfigured face.
The Taliban has announced an amnesty for people who worked for previous administrations but that promise has already been broken several times.
On August 15 the Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001 and was accused of aiding Al-Qaeda, captured the capital Kabul, forcing thousands of Afghans to flee to the airport in harrowing scenes, desperate to be evacuated.
The Taliban had been making significant advances in Afghanistan for weeks, after the United States under former President Donald Trump signed a deal with the insurgents, promising to withdraw after 20 years in exchange for security assurances.
The New Zealand Government sent around 80 Defence Force staff to Kabul to help evacuate New Zealand nationals, their families and visa holders last month.
The Taliban is listed as a terrorist organisation in Aotearoa. In August Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said whether the Government will recognise the new Taliban administration will depend on how it treats its citizens.
"What we want to see is women and girls being able to access work and education. These are things that have traditionally not been available to them where there has been governance by the Taliban.
"The whole world is watching. The Taliban is making claims about the type of administration they wish to be. We would implore them to allow people to leave safely.
"It's not a matter of trust - it's going to be all about the actions, not the words."
