Al Jazeera and agencies, July 25, 2014

Women and children among 14 civilians executed by Taliban in Ghor (PHOTOS)

Suspected Taliban fighters stop two vehicles in Ghor province, killing the passengers in apparently sectarian attack

Suspected Taliban gunmen stopped two vehicles in central Afghanistan and shot dead 15 passengers at the side of the road, police in Ghor province have said.

Only one man escaped after the gunmen held up two vehicles on a road in the province and shot dead 10 men, four women and one child, police said.

"Armed gunmen stopped two vehicles and shot dead the passengers," Abdul Hai Khatibi, spokesman for the governor of Ghor province, told the AFP news agency.

"They ordered all passengers to stand in one line, and then they shot them dead one by one.

"One man managed to flee. All of the others were shot in the head and chest."

The apparently sectarian killings included a newlywed couple. The group of Shia Muslims may have been on the way back from celebrating the marriage.

According to recent UN figures, civilian casualties soared by 24 percent in the first half of 2014, while the International Crisis Group has said the "overall trend is one of escalating violence and insurgent attacks."

July 25, 2014: Taliban execute 15 civilians on a highway in Ghor province. Most of them were laborers and innocent women and children. (Photo: Khaama Press)

July 25, 2014: Taliban execute 15 civilians on a highway in Ghor province. Most of them were laborers and innocent women and children. (Photo: Facebook)

July 25, 2014: Taliban execute 15 civilians on a highway in Ghor province. Most of them were laborers and innocent women and children. (Photo: Facebook)

July 25, 2014: Taliban execute 15 civilians on a highway in Ghor province. Most of them were laborers and innocent women and children. (Photo: Facebook)

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