A whistleblower has told an inquiry that the former director of UK special forces attempted to cover up concerns that SAS units were carrying out unlawful killings in Afghanistan, including the shooting of two toddlers.
The witness, identified only as N1466, said he first raised the alarm in February 2011 about possible war crimes, but the chain of command failed to act, allowing the killings to continue until 2013. The allegations emerged at the independent inquiry led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave into claims that 80 people were summarily killed by three SAS units.
In evidence released in redacted form, N1466 stated that the then director of special forces made a “conscious decision” to suppress information and ordered a review of tactics to avoid external scrutiny. He added that the director “knew it wasn’t … a problem with the TTP. The root problem was the intent.”
The whistleblower described one raid where special forces shot into a mosquito net until there was no movement, only to find women and children underneath. The incident was allegedly covered up and the shooter given an award. He also recounted how detainees were taken back on targets and executed, a breach of the Geneva conventions.
N1466 expressed regret for not reporting his suspicions earlier, blaming a loss of faith in the chain of command. The inquiry continues.
