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A confidential source has revealed the Afghan leak inquiry that the UK left behind classified technology allowing Afghanistan's rulers to track down local individuals who collaborated with western forces.

Information Leak Endangers Numerous in Danger

The whistleblower, identified as Person A, testified that individuals impacted by the data leak were instructed to relocate and switch their contact details to avoid detection from militant forces.

Lawmakers are currently examining the UK government's management of a catastrophic disclosure of private information concerning approximately 19k Afghans who had requested to move to the United Kingdom to escape the Taliban.

Data Disclosure Happened

An electronic document with their personal data, comprising names, addresses and occasionally relative details, was accidentally leaked by an official employed at special operations center in February 2022.

The breach became known in late 2023, when the names of multiple applicants who had requested to relocate to Britain appeared on social media.

Militant Technology

Many believe there's a false assumption that Afghan rulers do not have similar capabilities that we have,” the whistleblower testified to MPs.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they possess it. If they have mobile details, they can locate you down to within metres. That's precisely what specialized teams accomplished.”

During testimony about if militant forces possessed advanced decryption, the source confirmed: “They possess all resources.”

Aftermath of the Security Lapse

Initial findings presented to the inquiry indicated that no fewer than forty-nine kin and colleagues of people concerned by the incident had been murdered.

A legal restriction regarding the incident was implemented in August 2023 and blocked any information about it from being made public until July 2025.

Protective Actions

Given injunction limitations, the source and the volunteer organization associated with advised affected households they were supporting that they had “apprehensions that somebody's phone had been intercepted”.

“Our suggestion was that they change residence when possible and changed their contact details. These represented the primary information that, should militant forces had access to such data, would lead to them being traced,” the source testified.

Challenged Assessments

The source argued that internal investigation carried out by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to conclude that the possession of the records by the regime was “minimally impact current risk levels”.

“The crucial point is that these individuals are not standing up to the Taliban; they are in hiding. All concerns relate to their previous employment.”

She detailed horrific abuse endured by concerned people, comprising electric shock torture, waterboarding, and physical abuse.

“We have had toddlers who have had their arms broken to pressure relatives to reveal locations,” the whistleblower revealed.