British Taliban fighters found 'alive'

Five British Muslims reportedly killed fighting for the Taliban have turned up alive in Pakistan, a militant Islamic group said today.

But the al-Muhajiroun organisation say although their safe return was good news, the men may well return to battle.

The north London-based group had originally claimed they died when Mazar-e-Sharif fell to the Northern Alliance.

Spokesman Abu Yahya said they arrived at the group's office in Peshawar, on the Afghan border.

"We presumed they were dead because we hadn't heard from them for some time and communications are very difficult," Mr Yahya said.

"Then when we saw the pictures of Mazar-e-Sharif with the massacre of all the Pakistanis and Arabs we thought they must have been killed. But we have spoken to them now and all of them are well."

The men had spoken to their families but it was not certain whether they would stay in the region or return to Britain. The five included Mr Yahya's flatmate, east London website designer Abdul Saleem, 25, Zulfikar Ahmed, 28, from Leicester and Abu Waheed, 26, from Crawley, Sussex.

The other two have not been identified at the request of their families.

Mr Yayha said: "We are glad they are well but it works both ways. If they had been martyred then we would be pleased, because martyrs go straight to heaven as it is the most honourable way for any Muslim to die.

"And if they don't die, we are happy because it means they can still go back and fulfil their obligations."