Up to 7,000 Afghans secretly brought to UK after Defence Ministry data breach

LONDON —
Thousands of Afghans have been quietly relocated to the United Kingdom as part of a classified government initiative, following a serious data breach at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it has been revealed.

An estimated 7,000 individuals — many of whom worked alongside British forces in Afghanistan — were moved under a previously undisclosed £7 billion emergency resettlement programme. Details of the operation have come to light after a court lifted a government-imposed secrecy order earlier today.

The leak reportedly exposed the personal information of Afghans eligible for relocation under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), putting them and their families in danger. In response, the UK launched a swift and discreet evacuation effort to bring them to safety.

The full extent of the breach remains unclear, but internal documents suggest it involved names, contact details, and locations of Afghan nationals linked to British military operations. The decision to relocate thousands was made amid fears of retaliation by the Taliban and growing pressure from human rights groups.

Government sources have confirmed that planning for the emergency scheme began in 2024 but was kept under wraps to avoid further risk to those affected. Officials say the cost of the operation reached £7 billion, covering transportation, housing, and long-term integration support in the UK.

While ministers have yet to comment publicly, the disclosure is likely to raise urgent questions about data security, government transparency, and how such a large operation was kept from public view.

Statements from the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office are expected later today.

More updates to follow on www.internationalnews.uk