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A confidential source has told a parliamentary probe that the UK left behind sensitive devices allowing Afghanistan's rulers to track down local individuals that had served with western forces.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands in Danger

The source, called Person A, stated that individuals impacted by the security lapse were advised to change residences and alter their phone numbers to ensure their safety from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are looking into the Conservative government's handling of a catastrophic leak of private information involving approximately 19k Afghans who had asked to move to the UK to avoid militant rule.

How the Leak Was Discovered

An electronic document including private information, such as names, contact details and in some cases household data, was accidentally leaked by a staff member stationed at special operations center in last year.

The leak was discovered in late 2023, when details of nine people who had requested to settle in Britain appeared on social media.

Regime's Resources

Many believe there's a false assumption that militant forces are without similar capabilities that we have,” she told MPs.

“We left it all behind in Afghanistan; they have it. Once they acquire a contact number, they are able to track you down to within metres. That is what the unit did.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities possessed necessary encryption, Person A declared: “They possess all resources.”

Aftermath of the Information Leak

Preliminary research submitted to the inquiry estimated that approximately fifty family members and co-workers of Afghans affected by the breach had been killed.

A superinjunction concerning the breach was put in force in August 2023 and blocked relevant facts concerning it from media reporting until mid-2025.

Security Recommendations

Because she was restricted, the source and the volunteer organization associated with advised affected households they were working with that they had “concerns that somebody's phone had been intercepted”.

“We recommended that they moved if they could and switched their mobile numbers. That constituted the two main details that, should militant forces obtained this information, would result in them being traced,” she said.

Challenged Assessments

Person A argued that government assessment performed by a retired civil servant had been incorrect to determine that the acquisition of the information by the Taliban was “minimally impact current risk levels”.

“The crucial point is that these individuals are not standing up to the authorities; they live secretly. All concerns relate to past work history.”

The source explained horrific treatment endured by affected individuals, including electric shock torture, waterboarding, and severe beatings.

“Instances include four-year-old children who have had their arms broken to pressure households to reveal locations,” Person A stated.