THE brother of a Burnley man caught fighting for the Taliban in Afghanistan has flown to the war-torn country in a last-ditch bid to bring him home.

Anwar Khan, 25, was captured by the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan while fighting for the Taliban regime more than two years ago.

His family claim he went to Pakistan to 'kick' a heroin habit. After meeting a family uncle, it is thought that Anwar crossed the border and took up arms in Afghanistan.

His brother, Azmal Khan, has, in the past, expressed disappointment at the way the British authorities have responded to his younger sibling's plight. Now he has taken the matter into his own hands.

The conflict in Afghanistan and the western world's new relationship with the Northern Alliance had initially given the family hope for Anwar's return.

He was found by a British journalist and gave an interview from his prison cell, in which he admitted to having a fascination with guns, but despite that, the Foreign Office has not been able to secure his release.

That has frustrated the family, who live in Kent Street, who believe that more could have been done by the authorities.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said yesterday that Anwar's whereabouts were still not known. He said: "The family did not make us aware of their intentions to travel to Afghanistan and we were unaware of the trip.

"We cannot even confirm the fact that he has been released."

At the family home yesterday Anwar's mother confirmed that Azmal had left for Afghanistan and that they hoped to be reunited soon.

His father, Hasham, refused to make any comments about his son's predicament, but he also confirmed that Azmal had flown out in an effort to get Anwar back.