British Afghan leak

British elite soldiers and spies exposed in giant leak

The names of British elite soldiers and spies from the MI6 intelligence service have been leaked in the so-called Afghanistan leak in Britain, several media outlets report.

Their identities are included in the same documents as around 25,000 Afghan soldiers and employees of Afghan authorities, on a list that became known earlier this week. The Taliban are now believed to have obtained the information.

According to The Telegraph, several high-ranking officials in the British armed forces are included, including a major general and a brigadier general. 

At least 1,000 Afghans want compensation from the government

At least 1,000 Afghans plan to sue the British government over the security leak that became known this week. The Telegraph reports, citing a law firm specializing in secrecy cases.

The agency has launched a platform where Afghans can file claims for compensation from the government, and the number of people seeking compensation is increasing by around 100 a day.

Lawyer Adnan Malik claims that the leak itself could net affected people around £10,000, and that people who have been put in real danger as a result of the leak could claim even more.

UK security leak — the case at hand

• A massive data leak in 2022 revealed the names and contact details of tens of thousands of Afghans who had collaborated with the UK.
• The leak also included British elite soldiers and MI6 agents, posing a serious security risk.
• Following the leak, the UK launched a secret programme to relocate around 7,000 Afghans to the British Isles.
• Around 900 people and 3,600 family members have so far been relocated to the UK as part of the programme.
• British courts initially classified the information, but in July 2025 the ban was lifted and the debate took off.