Ex-soldier 'Canadian Dave' captured by Taliban: sources

David Lavery was pivotal in organising evacuations of over 1,000 Afghans during the Kabul crisis.

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David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier known as "Canadian Dave" in Afghanistan, has reportedly been captured by the Taliban, according to multiple sources.

The sources, who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that David Lavery was apprehended shortly after landing in Kabul on Monday.

David Lavery, who runs a private security company, Raven Rae Consulting Services, in Kabul, had spent several years working in Afghanistan. His current whereabouts remain unknown, but sources believe he is being held by the Taliban.

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed it is aware of an incident involving a Canadian national in Afghanistan and is providing consular assistance.

However, they declined to comment on whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has been briefed about David Lavery’s disappearance.

David Lavery gained prominence in 2021 during the fall of Kabul when, with Canadian Embassy staff having already left, he played a crucial role in helping evacuate over 100 Afghan nationals.

With a list of more than 1,000 people hoping to flee to Canada, he organised their evacuation amidst chaos outside Hamid Karzai International Airport.

During that time, evacuees were advised to wear red and look for a man named "Canadian Dave" to help them find safety.

Sources who spoke to CTV News expressed shock at his disappearance, noting that the Taliban would likely have been aware of Lavery’s extensive work in Afghanistan over the years.