Afghanistan: 169 Australian Embassy guards in Kabul beg for help and rescue

Almost 170 former guards of Australia’s embassy in Kabul appeal for help as a Taliban hit squad hunt them down.

The Taliban are on a door-to-door hunt for local contractors who worked for the Australian embassy, armed with a list of names believed provided by former Afghan Government officials.

The embassy employed 169 guards during its operation for 24/7 overwatch of five official locations including the embassy office compound and residences.

But it is understood just three have had visa approvals — to relocate to Australia — with others told their applications were being processed.

One day ago one family hiding in a basement with a rug over the hatch was asked by DFAT via email to access his computer and again complete application forms.

Australian Embassy in Kabul former head of security Paul Johnstone with a locally contracted guard who is now trying to get into Kabul airport for evacuation while awaiting visa approval to travel to Australia on humanitarian grounds. Picture: Supplied

Most of the men and their families are stuck outside of the fortified Kabul airport and are in hiding.

There are another at least 100 translators who have also appealed for Australia’s help.

Paul Johnstone, who spent 15 years in the Australian Army including Commando intelligence and a decade as a senior Australian Federal Police agent, is in telephone contact with 20 of the former locally employed security guards.

Mr Johnstone who later became a security contractor boss for the embassy for a year said it was shameful how the loyal former guards were now being treated by the government.

Indian Nationals prepare to board an Indian military aircraft at the airport in Kabul to be evacuated after the Taliban’s stunning takeover of Afghanistan. Picture: AFP

He said one guard’s family had the Taliban come to their house looking for him and had a list of names of other contractors employed by the Australian embassy.

“Another guard got a call on his mobile saying they were working on behalf of the Taliban and said it might take them days or weeks but they would eventually find him,” Mr Johnstone said.

“It’s heartbreaking, it really is. The chance of them getting out of their hiding spots to the airport through the Taliban checkpoints are slim. DFAT telling them they have to fill out these new forms online, they are in hiding, they don’t have computers or printers and scanners. That’s how ridiculous this situation is. I’m trying to help them as best we can.”

Australian Defence Force Brigadier Cheryl Pearce talks to orphanage staff and orphans during a visit to an Australian Embassy residence in Kabul in 2016. Picture: AAP

Mr Johnstone said they were losing hope.

“Everyone knew this was going to happen and the process has been a monumental failure.

“I’m up all night talking to them on the phone trying to give them hope but they are losing hope quick. They know they will be used as examples, will be stoned in public or hung for having worked for the infidels.

“They feel let down. They are just distraught. One told me last night ‘thankyou for your support but my wife and I feel very dearly we are not going to make it and we will die here’. You can hear the desperation in his voice, the flame is going out.”

Originally published as Afghanistan: 169 Australian Embassy guards in Kabul beg for help and rescue