A public inquiry into the actions of the SAS (Special Air Service) during the Afghanistan conflict has uncovered grave accusations regarding their conduct. A former UK Special Forces officer testified that the SAS had a "golden pass to get away with murder," enabling potential war crimes without accountability. This shocking revelation was part of a larger body of evidence released by the inquiry, which is investigating a series of alleged murders from 2010 to 2013. The inquiry has drawn significant attention following extensive reporting by BBC Panorama into the SAS's operations, which included night raids often described as resulting in unlawful killings.

The recent testimonies, shared in closed hearings, revealed that members of the SAS treated the killing of Afghan civilians dismissively, with one soldier describing the language used by SAS operatives as "flat packing." This informal terminology, shared by a soldier known as N1799, starkly contrasted with the gravity of the allegations being discussed. N1799 recalled a conversation wherein another SAS member recounted using a pillow to suffocate a target before killing them with a pistol, illustrating the chilling mindset reported by several witnesses regarding SAS operations during the war.

Further testimony highlighted serious concerns raised by several senior officers in the Special Boat Service (SBS), who interrogated the SAS's tactics and the culture of silence surrounding alleged extra-judicial killings. "There appears to be a culture there of 'shut up, don't question,'" stated one senior officer, emphasizing failures in leadership that allowed such operations to continue unchecked.

Additionally, N1799 conveyed his fears for personal safety should his identity be linked to these serious allegations, underscoring potential repercussions for whistleblowers within military circles. The Ministry of Defence has refrained from commenting on these specific allegations or the ongoing inquiry, maintaining a veil of secrecy over the actions of special forces.

The inquiry is led by Lord Justice Sir Charles Haddon-Cave and has invited significant scrutiny over how the SAS operated in Afghanistan. This investigation comes amidst wider scrutiny of military ethics, further complicated by ongoing cases against military personnel regarding their conduct in conflicts in Syria and Libya.

The events unfolding continue to raise questions about the accountability of elite military units like the SAS, as the inquiry seeks to uncover the truth behind the numerous allegations of unlawful killings and cover-ups. This could mark a pivotal moment in the UK's military history if the allegations prove substantiated.

For more detailed reading on this developing story, check the full articles from BBC and The Guardian.