THE SITUATION IN INDIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9815, 26 August 1897, Page 5

THE SITUATION IN INDIA.

THE FORTS.

CAPTURE OP FORTS BY

REBELS.

DEFEAT OF A SEPOY FORCE.

SERIOUS POSITION OF OTHER

FORTS.

Prese Association—By Tekgraph-Copyright. Calcutta, August 24. Reports from Simla state that the rebellious Afridis have attacked two of the forts garrisoned afc Khyber by levies from companies of British Infantry, and detachments of dragoons and artillery have been sent to defend the forts. Other bodies of Afridis having entered the Khyber Pass, artillery have been dispatched to shell the moulh of the Pass.

All the Afridis are obeying the directions of Akah Khel Mullah, one of their priests, who is reported to have captured two forts.

Three of the principal chiefs in Beloochistan have been arrested on suspicion of intriguing against the British.

Later reports state that the British forts at Mandha, twenty miles south of Mamirpur, aad Ali Mujed, have been captured.

A column, under Brigadier-General Westmacott and the Indian Staff Corps, is hurrying to the relief of Mandha.

The Afridis captured and burned Maude, and the garrison was compelled to retire, losing thirty men.

Sadda and Papa, two fortified posts, are surrounded. It is doubtful whether the relief force from Kohat can effect a rescue in time.

When the Mohmands afcfcaoked Shabkadar recently they burned the sacred books in a Sikh Temple. The Sikhs throughout the Punjaub are very indignant at the outrage.

Brigadier Ellis is now in command o£ 11,000 men, with thirty-six guns and eighteen squadrons of cavalry.

August 25

The British have mobilised 32,000 troops on the frontier. These, with the ordinary garrisons, make an available force of 42,000. All the bridges in the Upper Punjaub Valley are strictly guarded. The Khyber Pass is swarming with Afridis ; their lines extend for a mile and a half.

Reports from Peabawur states that Mir Bashir and the Mullah Hamed, wifch a large body of Afridis, attacked a force of Sepoys near Aligdsjid on Monday, murdering 300 of them and seizing their rifles. They afterwards attacked Lowraat.

The London Times , Simla correspondent states that the Afridis are so elated with their success that they audaoiously suggested the terms on which the British troops should be withdrawn from Swat Valley. One condition is that all Afridi women living in British territory should be yielded up,. while another condition requires a revision of the salt regulations.

The British column, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Westmaeotfe, fired upon the Afridia at a distance of 800 yards and dispersed them.

The garrison of Forfc Mande, after quitting, joined Lieutenant • Colonel Wesliinacolifc's force.

An uneasy feeling prevails in Quettft with regard to the safety of Parachinar, six days journey from Kohat, where the garrison is email.

The British have abandoned Forfc Jeharngera.