KABUL, Jan 29: Afghan authorities on Thursday freed 21 Pakistanis captured while fighting alongside the former Taliban regime and its Al Qaeda allies during the US-led war in Afghanistan in late 2001.

The release, the second this month, is being portrayed as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of Eidul Azha, and follows repeated appeals by family members.

Nearly two weeks ago Afghans freed 49 Pakistani militants following the visit to Kabul by Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali. The neighbours have agreed to free each other's prisoners. Thousands of Afghans languish in Pakistani jails, many of them for lack of documentation.

Hundreds of Taliban, Al Qaeda and allied militants were captured when United States-led forces ousted the Taliban militia. Many have already been freed. Pakistan was the key supporter of the Taliban until it was swept from power in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks on the United States in 2001 which were blamed on Al Qaeda.-Reuters