A court hearing has raised concerns about the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) failure to disclose nearly 100 million files to an ongoing inquiry into alleged unlawful killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan. In July, it was revealed that 97 million new files from a historic MoD system had been discovered, and the inquiry's chairman, Lord Justice Charles Haddon-Cave, was informed in a letter in early August. These files date from 2010 to 2013, the period under investigation. Haddon-Cave described the discovery as "troubling and regrettable" and warned that it could delay the inquiry's progress if not handled promptly. The inquiry, launched in 2023, has already cost £58 million and has published witness statements and documents, but no official findings have been released yet. Stephen Gray KC, representing the MoD, said that the database of 97 million records was being searched for material relevant to the inquiry. He noted that "the vast majority of this material will likely be wholly irrelevant to this inquiry's work." The MoD added that recent keyword searches had already led to the disclosure of around 1,200 new documents. Gray also clarified that the newly discovered database did not include the IT systems used by UK special forces, which had already been searched separately. He claimed the government would be able to review the additional files "without imperilling the current timetable." Lord Haddon-Cave has set a deadline for all evidence related to the allegations of unlawful killings to be heard by 30 April next year. Edward Craven KC, representing the families of Afghan victims at the inquiry, called the developments "staggering and profoundly worrying" and expressed doubt about the MoD's ability to thoroughly examine the documents before the deadline. He highlighted the challenge of balancing the need for thoroughness with the pressure of time. The inquiry has previously heard testimony alleging that UK special forces (UKSF) knew soldiers had likely committed war crimes in Afghanistan but failed to act. A senior special forces officer, known as N1466, testified that he raised concerns in early 2011 about unlawful killings and stories being fabricated to cover up deaths. He said he tried to get the special forces chief to act but instead, the director conducted a "fake exercise" of a review that did not address the issues. N1466, who was the assistant chief of staff for operations in UKSF headquarters between 2010 and 2011, became concerned in February 2011 when reports of Afghans being killed did not match the number of weapons recovered. He was further alarmed by reports of Afghans dying in custody after futile attempts to attack their captors, with some accounts described as "so implausible as to be ridiculous."