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A confidential source has revealed the Afghan leak inquiry that the UK failed to secure sensitive equipment permitting the militant group to identify Afghans who collaborated with western forces.

Data Breach Endangers Thousands in Danger

The source, known as Person A, explained that individuals impacted by the information breach were advised to move homes and switch their contact details to protect themselves from the ruling authorities.

MPs are currently examining the UK government's response of a serious disclosure of private information involving approximately 19k individuals who had applied to move to Britain to avoid militant rule.

Data Disclosure Occurred

An electronic document containing confidential details, comprising names, addresses and in some cases relative details, was accidentally leaked by an official employed at special operations center in February 2022.

The breach was discovered only in August 2023, when identities of multiple applicants who had requested to relocate to the UK appeared on Facebook.

Taliban Capabilities

It appears there is a misunderstanding that Afghan rulers lack comparable resources that we have,” Person A informed the committee.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; they possess it. If they have a contact number, they can trace your precise location. This is exactly how specialized teams accomplished.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities owned sophisticated technology, Person A stated: “They have complete capability.”

Aftermath of the Data Breach

Early investigations presented to the inquiry suggested that no fewer than forty-nine kin and associates of Afghans affected by the leak had been executed.

A legal restriction regarding the breach was put in force in last year and blocked all details regarding the matter from public disclosure until mid-2025.

Safety Measures

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

“Our suggestion was that they relocate when possible and changed their phone numbers. That constituted the two main details that, if the Taliban had access to such data, would lead to them being traced,” Person A explained.

Contested Findings

The source contested that government assessment carried out by a former official had been mistaken to determine that the possession of the information by militant forces was “unlikely to substantially change present danger”.

“The thing to remember is that affected people are not confronting militant forces; they remain concealed. Everything boils down to past work history.”

She detailed horrific treatment suffered by concerned people, involving electric shock torture, interrogation techniques, and violent assaults.

“There are cases of toddlers who have had bones crushed to pressure relatives to say where someone is,” Person A stated.