SAS members EXPOSED as security breach publishes identities online

The breach raises serious concerns that enemy states or terrorist organisations could identify the soldiers, some of whom may be currently engaged in live operations.

The Ministry of Defence has since taken down the two publications after being alerted to the security lapse.

The documents revealed names, ranks and links to the special forces of the affected personnel.

The breach occurred when the information was published online without any password protection.

According to reports, the documents were updated only months ago, with the latest amendments revealing 13 soldiers' links to the special forces.

The forces include elite groups such as the Army's Special Air Service (SAS) and the Navy's Special Boat Service (SBS).

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These units are regularly deployed to combat zones around the world.

While the documents did not explicitly reveal each soldier's unit, they used code names that are well known among military personnel and can be found online.

Some of the identified soldiers are believed to have been undertaking supporting roles, which are also highly confidential, while others were active troops.

One document revealed the identities of 14 soldiers over a decade, while another disclosed six names within a four-year period.

Several have had distinguished military careers and one is the son of a senior politician.

The strict secrecy surrounding special forces is designed to protect both operations and the individuals involved, along with their families.

In one case, the publication revealed details of a former high-ranking soldier who has since retired, including a photo and information about their family.

Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, told The Sunday Times: "Thirty years ago terrorism coming from Northern Ireland made us all aware of operational security at home. It's clear that some of those lessons need to be learnt again."

The Ministry of Defence took immediate action after being alerted to the breach, removing the publications and notifying all affected personnel.

The breach is particularly concerning as a public inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings by the SAS in Afghanistan has demonstrated how far authorities typically go to conceal such information.

In that inquiry, all special forces soldiers are referred to only by cipher.

The MoD said: "The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance and we take data security extremely seriously. Where we become aware of any potential risk, we will always take immediate action."