In a development that has sent shockwaves through the British military establishment, two highly-decorated SAS soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The arrests relate to a high-stakes counter-terrorism operation conducted in Afghanistan over a decade ago, in 2011.
The elite servicemen, both in their 40s, were detained by Ministry of Defence police at their homes earlier this week. They have since been released on bail pending further inquiries, as a complex war-time investigation reaches a critical juncture.
The Incident Under Scrutiny
The allegations centre on the death of an Afghan man during a daring SAS raid on a suspected bomb-making factory in Helmand Province. While the Ministry of Defence initially reported the death as a lawful killing of an insurgent, a prolonged investigation has cast doubt on this official account.
Sources indicate the investigation was sparked by concerns raised within the ranks themselves, a testament to the rigorous standards upheld by the regiment. The case file has now been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which faces the monumental task of deciding whether to bring charges.
A Regiment Under the Microscope
This case is not an isolated one. It forms a part of the wider and highly controversial Operation Northmoor—a £10 million inquiry launched by the Royal Military Police to investigate over 600 alleged offences by British forces in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2013.
Critics, including senior military figures, have condemned such investigations as an “industrial-scale witch-hunt,” arguing they hound soldiers who served in impossible conditions. Conversely, human rights advocates insist that no one is above the law, and allegations of war crimes must be thoroughly and impartially investigated.
The Ministry of Defence has reiterated its stance, stating: “We hold our personnel to the highest standards and any allegations of wrongdoing are taken seriously. Where appropriate, actions are taken to ensure justice is served.”
The world now watches as the CPS deliberates, a decision that will have profound implications for British special forces, military justice, and the legacy of the conflict in Afghanistan.
