Dozens of Afghanistan's most elite commandos who fought alongside British forces are facing imminent deportation from Pakistan and potential execution by the Taliban following a devastating security breach that exposed their sensitive personal information.
The Independent can reveal that classified data containing names, photographs, and duty stations of approximately 300 highly trained Afghan soldiers has been compromised, placing them in grave danger from Taliban death squads actively hunting former coalition partners.
Betrayal of Britain's Bravest Allies
These aren't ordinary soldiers - they represent the cream of Afghanistan's fighting forces, including members of the renowned Commando Force and Special Operations Corps who conducted joint operations with UK SAS units. Many participated in dangerous night raids and counter-terrorism missions directly supporting British objectives.
"These men were the tip of the spear in Afghanistan's fight against terrorism," a former British officer told The Independent. "They trusted us with their lives, and now we're failing them when they need protection most."
Catastrophic Data Exposure
The security lapse occurred through a shocking breach of protocol where detailed records of these elite operators were shared with Pakistani authorities without adequate safeguards. Taliban intelligence agents have since acquired this information, creating what one source described as a "kill list" of high-value targets.
Multiple soldiers have reported receiving direct death threats from Taliban numbers, with one commando stating: "They told me they know where I served, they have my photo, and they're coming for me."
UK Government Under Fire
Whitehall faces mounting criticism over its handling of the crisis, with accusations that Britain has abandoned those who risked everything fighting alongside British troops. Despite the UK's Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), many of these highly trained soldiers have seen their applications stalled or rejected.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey declared: "This is a devastating breach of trust with those who served shoulder-to-shoulder with British forces. The government must act immediately to protect these brave individuals and their families."
Race Against Time
With Pakistan accelerating deportations of Afghan refugees, time is running out for these elite soldiers. Many are living in safe houses, moving constantly to avoid detection, while their legal status in Pakistan becomes increasingly precarious.
One former commando now in hiding told The Independent: "We fought terrorism together. We bled together. Now we're being hunted like animals while those we helped look away."
The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged awareness of the situation but declined to comment on specific security measures, stating only that they "take the safety of all those who worked with UK forces extremely seriously."
