UK's Taliban fighters held in Afghanistan during Terror operation

Two Britons have been detained in Afghanistan during an opposing terrorism raid to avoid an attack on British interests according to reports.

The two were captured in a British-led attack and are now being detained in Helmand Province where Britain has 9,500 troops.

Contradicting reports said the men had been arrested either in a "fighting area" in Helmand or during a secret operation at a hotel near by to the Iranian border in the city of Herat.

The Afghan authorities told one newspaper the two were twin nationality and were not Afghan citizens.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office in London refused to provide any explanation of the operation, or remarks on where or when the men were taken.

He said: "We can verify that two British citizens have been arrested in Afghanistan and that embassy staff are giving assistance." An Afghan official told the Times newspaper the men were taken from the International Trade Centre Hotel in the city of Herat. He said: "The British asked for our assistance to hold these two persons.

The NDS - Afghan intelligence service was providing logistical support. Those detentions are not Afghans." "It was terrorism-linked. It was a Britain led operation." Herat, a well-off trading city in Western Afghanistan, has close trade and cultural contracts with Iran and is less than 100 miles from the border. On Thursday it will become the newest city to start handover to Hamid Karzai's forces in advance of an ultimate removal by Nato troops.

However another source told the Sun newspaper the two men were found in Afghan dress in Helmand province and were alleged of scheduling to target British troops.

The source said: "Helmand is not a holiday destination. The officials will be very worried they were wandering about.

The first thing they will desire to recognize is what they were doing here."