SAS Leaders Accused of Suppressing 'Explosive' Evidence of Possible War Crimes in Afghanistan

Testimony published by the independent public inquiry into UK Special Forces' conduct in Afghanistan alleges that senior SAS figures failed to pass on evidence pointing to possible unlawful killings.

An officer identified only as N1466 told the inquiry he handed what he described as "explosive" material to the then-director of special forces in 2011 that indicated criminal behaviour. He said that when a new director took over in 2012, the information was not pursued despite clear signs that something was wrong in Afghanistan.

The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan was established in 2022 to examine allegations arising from Deliberate Detention Operations — often called "kill or capture" missions — carried out between 2010 and 2013. The probe is considering claims including the unlawful killing of detainees and unarmed civilians, including children. In mid-2023 the Ministry of Defence clarified the inquiry is focused specifically on U.K. Special Forces.

What N1466 said

N1466 told the inquiry his concerns began after a night raid in which nine Afghan men were killed but only three weapons were recovered. He described noticing a pattern of an unusually high number of suspicious deaths in reports sent to his desk in London that did not match the small number of arms seized.

He said allegations circulated that members of a sub-unit followed a policy of killing fighting‑age males "on target regardless of threat." According to his testimony, he passed the material to two successive heads of special forces but they did not forward it to the Royal Military Police (RMP). Under law, commanders must notify the RMP when someone in their command may have committed a serious offence.

"I was deeply troubled by what I strongly suspected was the unlawful killing of innocent people, including children... I will be clear, we are talking about war crimes," N1466 told the inquiry.

N1466 said he only went to the Provost Marshal in 2015, by which time the RMP's Operation Northmoor — an investigation into the SAS — was already under way. He expressed deep regret for the delay, saying he had "wrestled with" whether to speak earlier because he feared for his position and believed action was being taken.

Reflecting on later deaths he said: "When you look back on it, on those people who died unnecessarily from that point onwards — there were two toddlers shot in their bed next to their parents — all that would not... necessarily have come to pass."

N1466 rejected suggestions he had an agenda. He described himself as a fiercely loyal member of Special Forces who believed true loyalty meant doing the right thing rather than protecting an organisation from criticism.

Response and context

Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer criticised the inquiry's decision to publish testimony selectively, arguing it was unfair to release one side of the story before those accused could respond. The inquiry defended its approach, noting that, as with other statutory public inquiries, it is required to publish material when it can while protecting the identities of UK Special Forces members and safeguarding national security.

The inquiry emphasised it is focused on allegations of deliberate executions rather than the split-second decisions made in combat. The investigation is ongoing and is expected to submit its findings to the Defence Secretary and to parliament next year.