A pregnant policewoman has been shot dead by Taliban militants in Afghanistan, witnesses claim.

Banu Negar was reportedly gunned down at home in the capital of central Ghor province, Firozkoh, on Saturday, September 4.

Three gunmen speaking Arabic forced their way into their family home on Saturday and searched it before tying the family up, it is claimed.

It was also reported that her face was mutilated in the savage attack which left blood splattered across a wall as seen in graphic images.

She was killed in front of her husband and children, who had been tied up, BBC News reports.

Negar’s family say she was eight months pregnant and worked at a prison.

Her death follows rising reports in Afghanistan of the Taliban abusing women and repressing their rights.

Despite Ms Negar’s relatives accusing the Taliban of murdering her, the group denies any involvement.

Taliban Spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed told the BBC: “We are aware of the incident and I am confirming that the Taliban have not killed her, our investigation is ongoing.”

Mujaheed added that Ms Negar’s death must have been due to “personal enmity or something else” because the Taliban had already announced an amnesty for people who worked for the previous administration.