At least 49 Afghan individuals connected to British operations were killed after a major data breach by the UK Ministry of Defense, according to a new study presented to Parliament, The Khaama Press News Agency reported on October 28.
A recent report submitted to the UK Parliament’s Defense Committee reveals that a serious data leak in 2022 exposed Afghan allies to life-threatening danger, resulting in the deaths of at least 49 people, including family members and colleagues of those who supported the British mission in Afghanistan.
The study surveyed 231 Afghans whose personal information was compromised. Out of those, 200 reported receiving direct threats against themselves or their families. The breach occurred when a Royal Navy officer mistakenly sent a document containing the details of roughly 25,000 Afghan asylum applicants to an individual in Afghanistan, who then distributed the information further.
Researchers estimate that nearly 100,000 Afghans were put at risk as a result of the breach. Over the past five years, approximately 24,000 former Afghan soldiers and their families have been quietly relocated to the UK under various resettlement schemes.
The Ministry of Defense has confirmed 49 separate data breach incidents within its department, attributing some to human error and others to cyberattacks. Former British military intelligence officer Philip Ingram called the situation “shocking” and urged that those responsible be held accountable.
In response, the Ministry stated that independent reviews suggest the likelihood of individuals being targeted solely due to their names appearing on leaked lists is low. However, it emphasized that support continues for Afghan nationals who served alongside British forces.
Human rights advocates argue that the documented threats and killings reflect a failure to adequately protect vulnerable partners. They are calling for stronger oversight, transparent investigations, and expedited resettlement processes to prevent further tragedies.
