THE Burnley family of a Taliban volunteer captured fighting in Afghanistan are hoping that the current troubles could lead to his release.

Anwar Khan, 25, was captured by the Northern Alliance army during fighting more than two years ago.

It is understood he was fighting as a Taliban volunteer after leaving his wife and child in Burnley.

He is said to have been kept in a cell with no electricity, running water or sanitation.

He now hopes to be released after giving a pledge that he will return straight home to Burnley.

Anwar has a four-year-old son Hamza and wife, Zorah, 27. His parents live in Kent Street, Burnley.

Burnley's deputy mayor and community leader Coun Rafique Malik said today the family hoped that the change of circumstances in Afghanistan following the American terrorists attacks could lead to his release.

He said the terrorist attacks had given officials new access to the Northern Alliance, who were fighting a civil war against the Taliban rulers, and gave new hope that Anwar could be freed.

It is understood Anwar had gone to Pakistan to study religion but ended up in Afghanistan.

His father, Hasham Khan said: "We are requesting to the British Government that they try to secure the release."

Mr Khan denied knowing the reasons why his son had gone to Afghanistan. The family have contacted Burnley's MP Peter Pike and asked him to intervene.

It was revealed today that Anwar left Burnley on the advice of his family because of his involvement in drugs.

He also had a fascination for weapons and ammunition which led to him joining a Taliban military training camp.

Anwar was interviewed in prison by a reporter and said he has been totally off from contact with the rest of the world for more than a year and she was the first to tell him of the terrorist attacks in American.

His response was that he would not clap hands or shed a tear. When told that Osama bin Laden was the chief suspect he replied that it seemed to be a personal matter between bin laden and America. He denied having trained for terrorism.

He said: "Everyone has a hobby, like a football player. I have liked to play with bullets."

Anwar ended by saying: "I want to get out of this mess and go home."

His older brother Azmal said Anwar went to Pakistan at the suggestion of the family because of his drug problems. Azmal said the family did not think of Anwar as a terrorist but were unhappy that he had received military training and then taken part in the fighting.

He added: "If he wanted military training he could have received it in this country by legitimate means by joining the Army here."

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "I raised this case with the Foreign Secretary before. I shall look at the file again. I would hope to meet the family at my surgery on Saturday.

"I will certainly look sympathetically at whether raising the case with Jack Straw again would be helpful."