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Families of British servicemen have been ordered to stop sharing personal details on social media after extremists threatened to kill a solider’s wife in a letter direct to their home.

Police are investigating a specific threat after Islamist fanatics shoved a sickening note through the door of the serving soldier.

The family are so terrified they are understood to have fled their home.

The letter is entitled “JIHAD – The Holy War For Islam – A warning to the brides of British Soldier Warmongers” and threatens to “destroy the families of unbelievers”.

The full text of the letter reads: “You have been identified as an unbeliever and a bride of a murderer of the servants of Allah in the Holy Land.

“Our peoples have suffered at the hands of your husbands who have murdered, killed and raped our women and children.

“We the servants of Allah intend to avenge our peoples by destroying the families of unbelievers in the land of hate.

“You along with many others will pay the price for your husband’s destruction in the Holy Land.

“We now know where you live and will begin to destroy the unbelievers and their families as they have done to us.”

It is signed off “The Circle of Allah – Avengers Serving Allah”.

The threat was made in Lincolnshire, the county home to nine armed forces bases.

The Ministry of Defence is aware of the threat and is working with Lincolnshire Police to investigate.

Chief Inspector Jim Tyner said: “Lincolnshire Police are investigating an allegation of malicious communications where a threatening letter has been sent to the home of a serving member of the armed forces.

“At present we believe this is a one off-incident and would like to hear from any families that had received similar letters.

“We would like to remind forces families of the need to take particular care. For example, they should review their security settings on social media to ensure they don’t accidentally share personal details.”

The warning extends not just to direct family but also to friends who may post on the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and unwittingly give away the location of soldiers.

An MOD spokeswoman said: “Keeping personnel and their families safe is of the utmost importance and all personnel are given clear guidance on appropriate social media use.

“We do not talk about specific security measures.”

Last year, worried police chiefs ordered colleagues to also stay under the radar to stave off the possibility of becoming a target for bloodthirsty jihadists.

It came after MI5 warned forces across the country were plotting to murder a bobby on the streets.

The clampdown by top brass included orders to be extra careful online and ditch their uniforms when travelling to and from work.

More than 200,000 rank-and-file officers were affected by the new guidelines. The order to cover-up uniforms while off-duty was later rescinded.