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A confidential source has told a parliamentary probe that the UK left behind confidential devices permitting the militant group to track down local individuals who collaborated with international military.

Information Leak Puts Thousands in Danger

The source, identified as Person A, explained that people concerned by the security lapse were instructed to move homes and alter their contact details to avoid detection from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are investigating official management of a catastrophic breach of confidential data involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who had requested to relocate to Britain to flee the Taliban.

Data Disclosure Was Discovered

An electronic document containing private information, including identities, phone numbers and in some cases relative details, was inadvertently disclosed by a worker stationed at UK special forces headquarters in February 2022.

The incident came to light in late 2023, when identities of multiple applicants who had sought to relocate to the UK surfaced on social media.

Militant Technology

It appears there is a false assumption that militant forces are without similar capabilities that allied forces use,” Person A informed lawmakers.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they possess it. Once they acquire your phone number, they can locate you down to within metres. This is exactly how specialized teams accomplished.”

When questioned about whether the Taliban owned sophisticated technology, the whistleblower confirmed: “They've got everything.”

Impact of the Data Breach

Early investigations provided to the investigation suggested that at least 49 relatives and colleagues of individuals impacted by the incident had been murdered.

A gag order concerning the incident was put in force in late 2023 and prevented relevant facts regarding the matter from public disclosure until mid-2025.

Security Recommendations

Due to legal constraints, Person A and the aid group she was working with informed individuals at risk they were assisting that they had “concerns that mobile communications had been intercepted”.

“We recommended that they change residence where feasible and switched their contact details. That constituted the primary information that, should militant forces obtained this information, would lead to their location being found,” she said.

Challenged Assessments

Person A contested that internal investigation conducted by a retired civil servant had been wrong to conclude that the possession of the records by militant forces was “unlikely to substantially change present danger”.

“The crucial point is that these Afghans are in hiding from the Taliban; they remain concealed. All concerns relate to their previous employment.”

The source explained horrific violence experienced by at-risk Afghans, comprising electrocution, waterboarding, and physical abuse.

“Instances include toddlers who have had their arms broken to pressure the family to reveal locations,” the whistleblower revealed.