“MAD FAKIR” RAID

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12529, 15 April 1935, Page 5

“MAD FAKIR” RAID

FANATIC TRIBESMEN- BOMBED STUBBORN RESISTANCE. BRITISH OFFICIAL KILLED. RODE OUT TO NEGOTIATE WITH NATIVES. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel Copyright) (Roe. April 14., 6.35 p.m.) ■ CALCUTTA, April 13. The turbulent north-west frontier has again claimed' the life -of a British official in the, person of Mr Leslit William Hazlett Duncan Best, a political agent in Malnkancl; .who was shot and fatally wounded by a. tribesman at Agra Lakaii. It is' revealed that Mr Best was killefl in the operations yesterday against the hostile tribesmen led by the Fakir of A linge r. British and Indian troops of the Nowshera column attacked' the raiders, numbering 900. with the object of driving them back over the Swat River. Royal Air Force planes bombed an c j machine-gunned tho tribesmen’s positions after which the troope occupied the village of Loo, in Agra, after stubborn resistance, in which Mr Best was killed and several troops Were injured 1 . Tho Daily Mail's Peshawar correspondent says that Mr Best, p.vlio was 35, escorted by six Sowars, rode out as the forces approached with, a view to meeting the tribesmen and negotiating with them to prevent largescalo fightino-, lint lie was ambushed) and three of .his escort were wounded