The senior interpreter at the British embassy in Kabul was refused sanctuary in the UK just three weeks after being shot in a suspected Taliban ambush as he drove home.
Farid, a veteran of 17 years working with UK diplomats and soldiers, was hit once in the arm and narrowly escaped with his life as a gunman fired from just one metre away.
The 37-year-old escaped by slamming his car into reverse as blood poured from his wound, speeding backwards until he was safely behind a wall and Afghan parliament security forces appeared.
That chilling attack happened while British officials were considering Farid's application for relocation to the UK because, as the 'face of the embassy', he feared for his and his family's lives.
Farid (pictured), a veteran of 17 years working with UK diplomats and soldiers, was hit once in the arm and narrowly escaped with his life as a gunman fired from just one metre away
And he learned that his plea for sanctuary had been rejected as he recovered from the bullet which smashed into his left arm.
'I was so very shocked and disappointed to be told that my case had been rejected when the threat and danger to me was so obvious,' the father of six said.
'I am often the face of the embassy, the first person people going to security at the embassy must see so I know that I must be a target.'
Recalling the chilling attack, Farid said: 'It was very frightening and I was lucky to escape without the other bullets killing me. I have no doubt that I was targeted. I was driving home when three men from a black car shouted for me to stop. One was holding a phone, I think with my picture on, because he said, 'That's him'.
'One of the men came out and had an AK-47 and started shooting at me, four or five times. A bullet hit me in the left arm, there was great pain and blood poured out. I thought, 'He's killing me'.'
He added: 'I put my car into reverse and pushed the pedal hard to go backwards. My window glass had smashed in with the bullet impact and I tried to remain low away from bullets.
The 37-year-old escaped by slamming his car into reverse as blood poured from his wound, speeding backwards until he was safely behind a wall. Pictured: The bullet hole in his car
The chilling attack (pictured: his wounds) happened while British officials were considering Farid's application for relocation to the UK because he feared for his and his family's lives
'I waited for 15 minutes, going to the back seat as it was easier to hide and rest my arm. I then went to hospital. They operated that night. I am sure I was a target because of my work at the embassy. My face is widely known.'
With an emboldened Taliban making sweeping gains across Afghanistan and carrying out revenge attacks, the ambush shortly after 9.30pm on June 20 sent shockwaves among embassy interpreters, who fear they will also be targets.
Incredibly, Farid is among 21 translators currently working at the embassy who have seen their applications for sanctuary in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme (ARAP) rejected, as they are employed through private subcontractors.
Their role is high-profile, often on the embassy's front gate, meeting visitors and translating for diplomats and the military. Ironically, they play a pivotal role in the administration of ARAP, working with former military interpreters, their families and other at-risk Afghans on their cases.
More than 40 British military chiefs joined in a plea to the Prime Minister this week to relax guidelines for which translators can resettle under ARAP, after more than 500 workers including 130 translators were turned down.
They also criticised long delays in reaching decisions. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is understood to be considering loosening the rules. One proposal could involve flying applicants to the UK to be assessed here.
Farid said he first applied for relocation on security grounds on May 3. But when he heard nothing, he re-applied on June 15. UK officials asked for documents, which he submitted.
But he received an email saying his case had been rejected on July 13, three weeks after the attack.
The Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted how interpreters not directly employed by the UK, including those who worked with Special Forces, have had their cases turned down.
Farid learned that his plea for sanctuary had been rejected as he recovered from the bullet which smashed into his left arm (pictured)
They accuse the Government of 'abandoning' them. A dozen men who worked with the SAS and SBS are currently waiting to hear if they can relocate. The decision is said to be 'with ministers'.
Farid said: 'When I heard about ARAP I was optimistic that we would be included because of our work and profile but all of us were denied visas.
'We hear the cases each day of people who have been accepted and our current profile is far greater. My wife worries every time I go out, we are afraid our children (four girls and two boys) will be kidnapped.
'The Taliban want me dead, I am a very well-known face, they know me and know my name. I honestly believe that next time they will behead me.'
At least seven former Coalition translators have been murdered this year, with the most recent reportedly beheaded after being caught in a
