British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon issued a sharp warning today to British Muslims not to go to Afghanistan to join the Taliban's fight against the US-led attacks.
Mr Hoon warned that any Britons who joined the ranks of the ruling Taliban militia could face death in Afghanistan or legal action in Britain if they returned.
"I would hope that anyone who is contemplating going to Afghanistan does think very carefully about the consequences both to them and their families in terms of the grief they may suffer as well as the legal action that might follow on their return, if they were to return," he told a news conference.
His comments follow reports that thousands of British Muslims have gone to join the Taliban in its fight against the United States, which launched military strikes against Afghanistan in early October.
Four British Muslims were killed in the bombing of a house in Kabul where they were staying with other foreigners who had gone to help the Taliban, the British press reported today, quoting the Al-Muhajiroun Islamist movement.
Three were named as Muhamed Omar, aged about 30, Aftab Manzoor and Aftal Munir, both 25. The fourth had not been identified, the papers reported.
AFP