🔗 Share this article Afghan Rulers Employed Discarded British Equipment to Find Afghans That Served With Western Forces, Investigation Learns A confidential source has told a parliamentary probe that the UK abandoned confidential devices enabling the Taliban to locate local individuals who worked with allied troops. Information Leak Endangers Thousands at Risk The source, identified as Person A, explained that individuals impacted by the security lapse were instructed to move homes and change their phone numbers to avoid detection from the ruling authorities. Lawmakers are investigating the UK government's response of a serious breach of confidential data involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who had requested to relocate to the United Kingdom to flee militant rule. How the Leak Happened A data file with private information, comprising identities, phone numbers and occasionally family information, was accidentally leaked by a staff member stationed at British military command in last year. The breach became known months later, when the names of multiple applicants who had sought to settle in the UK surfaced on social media. Regime's Resources “There seems to be a misunderstanding that the Taliban do not have similar capabilities that we have,” Person A informed MPs. Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; they possess it. If they have a contact number, they are able to track your precise location. That is what intelligence groups accomplished.” Under inquiry about if militant forces possessed necessary encryption, the whistleblower stated: “They have complete capability.” Consequences of the Security Lapse Initial findings submitted to the investigation estimated that at least 49 family members and colleagues of people concerned by the leak had been killed. A superinjunction concerning the incident was put in force in last year and prevented all details about it from public disclosure until recently. Protective Actions Due to legal constraints, Person A and the non-governmental organization associated with told individuals at risk they were working with that they had “apprehensions that mobile communications had been intercepted”. “Our suggestion was that they change residence when possible and switched their mobile numbers. That constituted the crucial data that, if the Taliban acquired this information, would lead to them being traced,” she said. Contested Findings The source argued that an official review carried out by a former official had been wrong to conclude that the obtaining of the information by the regime was “minimally impact present danger”. “The thing to remember is that these Afghans are not standing up to the Taliban; they are in hiding. All concerns relate to former occupations.” The source explained horrific abuse endured by affected individuals, involving electrocution, simulated drowning, and severe beatings. “There are cases of four-year-old children who have had bones crushed to force households to reveal locations,” Person A stated.