London: According to a Wednesday article in the Guardian, the UK Home Office has postponed its plans to deport three Nepalese security guards who assisted in protecting British embassy personnel in Afghanistan and released a fourth who was in custody.

When Western forces left the country in late 2021 and the Taliban took over, eleven Nepalese and two Indian guards—some of whom were reportedly risking their lives to protect British personnel and embassy staff in Kabul—were airlifted to the UK.

On March 27, 10 of the men were detained by the Home Office. Bam Bahadur Gurung, 37, was one of them and was freed on Wednesday. The resident of Nepal lived in Afghanistan for more than ten years, spending some of that time as a security guard at the British and Canadian embassies in Kabul. In 2016, a suicide bombing that targeted consular guards resulted in the deaths of several of his coworkers.

Also Read: Trump is being watched by a wary US in court hoping for justice

After learning he would be released, he told The Guardian, "I am delighted but I do not understand what is happening.

I've been told to go to the detention center's reception area, but nobody is giving me any explanations.

One of those still being held is Kumar Bahadar Gurung, who was hurt in the 2016 suicide bombing. He is being detained in a Heathrow deportation centre.

He told the Guardian, "I am very happy for Bam, but I am equally confused about what is happening. For his work in Afghanistan, the 47-year-old reportedly won several awards, including one from the UN.

Also Read: Despite commitments to reduce it, coal use is increasing globally

The Home Office had previously granted two of the detained men indefinite leave to remain, and they were unaware of any change in their status when they were arrested. These two men were scheduled to be deported before the process was halted. The three former guards with ILR status who weren't detained or arrested last week.

The cases of the 13 men, who were on the same flight leaving Kabul, were handled simultaneously. Why three received different treatment from the Home Office when the others were detained last week is still a mystery.

Jamie Bell, a lawyer for some of the men, said, "We are pleased that the Home Office has deferred removal instructions for three of our clients and has released Bam Gurung."

"We have serious concerns about the nine men who are still being held, some of whom still have removal orders pending. We again wonder why men who bravely served their country are given such unjust and erratic treatment.

"It's deeply troubling to see these brave men facing deportation after initially being granted settlement in the UK," Labour MP Dan Jarvis told the Guardian.

Also Read: Just after the Tsai-McCarthy meeting, China sends out naval vessels to the vicinity of Taiwan

"When it comes to the lives of those who gave selflessly to our country, the Home Office continues to show a dereliction of duty. "These men put their lives in danger for the UK, but they are being treated like criminals as a result. Even now, there is still just enough time to act morally and keep the promise made to settle here.” A request for comment was made to the Home Office.