Store mannequins were ordered beheaded by the Taliban militants who believed they were violating Islamic rules.

Footage shows a suspected Taliban soldier sawing off the plastic heads inside a clothing shop believed to be in the Herat province in west Afghanistan, while other men can be heard gleefully laughing and saying "Allahu Akbar."

The incident comes after a directive from Herat’s Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice saying the mannequins allegedly promoted idolatry, which is considered a sin in Islam.

The mannequins were initially ordered to be removed but the ministry conceded to beheading them instead after shopkeepers complained that their businesses would suffer.

The Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is known for enforcing the Taliban’s hardline interpretation of Sharia law.

The agency had previously existed during the Taliban regime in the 1990s, during which morality police were deployed to arrest alleged violators. Punishments ranged from flogging, amputations, and even execution, depending on the perceived severity of the offence.

Store mannequins were ordered beheaded by the Taliban militants – who believed they were violating Islamic rules.

Footage shows a suspected Taliban soldier sawing off the plastic heads inside a clothing shop believed to be in Herat province in west Afghanistan, while other men can be heard gleefully laughing and saying ‘Allahu Akbar’.

The incident comes after a directive from Herat’s Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice saying the mannequins allegedly promoted idolatry, which is considered a sin in Islam.

The mannequins were initially ordered to be removed but the ministry conceded to beheading them instead after shopkeepers complained that their businesses would suffer.

The Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is known for enforcing the Taliban’s hardline interpretation of Sharia law.

The agency had previously existed during the Taliban regime in the 1990’s, during which morality police were deployed to arrest alleged violators. Punishments ranged from flogging, amputations, and even execution, depending on the perceived severity of the offence.