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An informant has revealed an official investigation that the UK abandoned classified equipment permitting the militant group to track down Afghans that had served with international military.

Data Breach Endangers Thousands at Risk

The whistleblower, called Person A, explained that people concerned by the security lapse were instructed to relocate and change their phone numbers to avoid detection from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are investigating the UK government's management of a massive leak of personal details involving approximately 19k individuals who had asked to come to the UK to avoid militant rule.

The Information Breach Happened

An electronic document containing their personal data, comprising names, phone numbers and occasionally household data, was accidentally leaked by a staff member working at special operations center in February 2022.

The breach was discovered only in August 2023, when details of multiple applicants who had requested to move to Britain appeared on online platforms.

Regime's Resources

It appears there is a misunderstanding that militant forces do not have comparable resources that western nations possess,” Person A informed the committee.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they have it. If they have your phone number, they are able to track your exact position. That's precisely what the unit accomplished.”

During testimony about if militant forces possessed sophisticated technology, Person A confirmed: “They possess all resources.”

Consequences of the Security Lapse

Early investigations presented to the investigation suggested that at least 49 family members and associates of individuals impacted by the leak had been killed.

A gag order concerning the breach was enacted in late 2023 and restricted relevant facts regarding the matter from media reporting until July 2025.

Security Recommendations

Because she was restricted, the whistleblower and the non-governmental organization associated with advised Afghan families they were supporting that they had “concerns that mobile communications had been breached”.

“Our suggestion was that they moved when possible and switched their contact details. That constituted the two main details that, if the Taliban obtained this information, would cause identification and capture,” she said.

Contested Findings

The whistleblower argued that internal investigation performed by a retired civil servant had been incorrect to state that the possession of the information by militant forces was “not significantly alter current risk levels”.

“The thing to remember is that affected people are not confronting the authorities; they are in hiding. All concerns relate to past work history.”

The source explained terrible abuse experienced by at-risk Afghans, comprising electrocution, simulated drowning, and physical abuse.

“We have had young kids who have had limbs fractured to force households to disclose hiding places,” the whistleblower revealed.