A MAN jailed for fighting for the Taliban was today preparing to be reunited with his young son after flying home to his family.

Anwar Khan claimed he was conscripted to fight for the Taliban regime in 1998 and three days later was captured by the Northern Alliance and thrown into jail.

He arrived back in Burnley last night and his brother Ajmal said: "He is looking forward to seeing his son, Hamza who is four." The pair have been apart since Hamza was a baby.

The family said Anwar, who is married to Zorah, was led astray after originally going to Pakistan to 'kick' a heroin habit and they thanked the British government for help in securing his release.

As soon as he arrived at Manchester airport yesterday Anwar, 25, of Stoneyholme, was detained by special branch officers from the Metropolitan Police in London under the 2000 Terrorism Act.

His brother Ajmal returned with him on the flight and he was greeted by friends and family in the airport.

But when Anwar was taken away by police they left for home because police would not say how long he might be detained.

After nearly three hours, he was released and immediately got a taxi to Burnley.

At his Kent Street home a tired and drawn Anwar leaned on his older brother for support and said: "It is a daydream. I am very happy to be back with my family.

"At the moment I am excited, but I am not well and have not slept for the last three days.

"I am happy beyond explanation and I can't explain how I feel. I could give my head to my brother for what he has done."

He said he had thought of his family often while in prison and he never gave up hope of coming home.

Ajmal told how Anwar had gone with other foreigners into Afghanistan in 1998 and hundreds had been conscripted to fight for the Taliban. He was only one of four to survive.

They were taken in a plane into the country and Anwar was only with the Taliban for three days when he was captured by the Northern Alliance and jailed, he said.

Ajmal, 38, of Colne Road, Burnley, said: "Sometimes I thought today would never happen. I feel happy that he is home and hopefully it will be a better future for the whole family.

"At least he is here now and in a country where there are human rights. There were lots of tears when he arrived home and he still thinks he is dreaming."

Ajmal flew out to the country in January to make a last ditch effort to bring his brother home.

A BBC news team helped him trace Anwar and the two crossed the border into Pakistan on February 17 only for Anwar to be arrested and imprisoned again.

He said: "I would like to thank the Government, the media, the British Mission in Afghanistan and the High Commission in Pakistan. It was a co-ordinated effort to get my brother released.

Anwar was due to visit Burnley General Hospital today because he suffered malaria and pneumonia in Afghanistan and Ajmal said he will also need counselling.

Ajmal said he must return to see the police on Thursday when he is hoping to have personal documents returned and that would be an end to the matter.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "At approximately 3pm a 25-year-old man was detained at Manchester airport under schedule seven of the Terrorism Act on 2000 which allows police to make inquiries of an individual in order to verify their status and reasons for entering the UK.

"No other aspects will be disclosed. The man was not arrested and he has since since released."