The Taliban removed the index fingers of 11 Afghans who voted in the presidential run-off election this weekend in north-western Afghanistan, say officials.

The Taliban warned people not to participate in Saturday’s poll to choose between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, and the group punished 11 individuals for disobeying their orders in Herat province.

Both candidates have pledged to improve relations with the west and sign a security pact with the US to keep 10,000 troops in the country for a further two years.