BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Taleban free 300 prisoners

They described the release as a goodwill gesture to mark the anniversary of the defeat of Afghanistan's communist government, in 1992.

They were captured during fighting between the Taleban and opposition forces in the north.

Freedom

Two of the freed men were allowed to speak to journalists.

"We have been well treated," one of them said.

"We had meat every Friday," he added.

The men emerged from the Kabul central jail in hot sunshine, carrying their clothes, bedding and cooking pots.

As they walked out, cell mates cheered and waved goodbye through the prison bars.

They were then taken to several mini-buses parked nearby, to be transported to the Kabul city centre.

Taleban guards watched them closely from two watch-towers on either side of the gate.

Caught

One of the prisoners, Sayed Mubin, said he had been captured three years ago during fighting in northern Afghanistan.

His home now lies in no-man's land, between areas under Taleban control and the forces of the warlord Ahmed Shah Masood.

Families often complain that both sides pick up non-combatants during the fighting, purely for ransom.

The going-rate, they say, is about $300.

Some 1,500 prisoners are still being held in Kabul central jail, which was built in the 1970s on barren land 12 km (8 miles) east of the city.

Jail officials say they are well looked after and can be visited by their families and by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Last year, around 400 prisoners were released from the jail, most of whom were exchanged for Taleban troops captured by Ahmed Shah Masood.