Officials say British forces have detained two Britons in Afghanistan, amid media reports the two were suspected of fighting for the Taliban.

In London, Britain's foreign office Thursday confirmed the detention of the two British nationals and said embassy staff was providing assistance. No other details were given.

Afghan officials told news agencies that the suspects had links to the Taliban and were recently arrested at a hotel in the western province of Herat, along the Iranian border.

But The Times of London newspaper earlier reported that the suspects were detained in the southern province of Helmand late Tuesday during an operation by British forces in response to a “suspected threat” to British security.

Britain has about 9,500 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led force.