THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Hastings Standard, Issue 411, 28 August 1897, Page 3

THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

A SEVERE ENGAGEMENT. HAND-TO-HAND ENCOUNTER. TIIE AFRIDIS DISPERSED. (Per Press Association. —Copi/rir/fit.) Calcutta. August 27. The Afridis in geat force, assisted by a force of Ghazis, attacked Landi Kotai, situated at the crest of the lvhyber Pass, on Tuesday last. The garrison there consisted of 350 Khyber Pass rifles composed of surrounding tribesmen and 150 other tribesmen. They bravely held the fort until Wednesday morning, when the enemy effected an entrance, and then a desperate hand-to-hand encounter ensued, lasting two hours. The losses on either side are unknown. The Afridis then burned the fort, and are now reported to be dispersing, declaring their intention of re-assembling 011 September 15th. Information received by the Viceroy gives the reason for the temporary dispersal of the rebels as being short of food supplies. Similar successes are reported from the north-west frontier. 4 The Times Simla correspondent states that so sudden was the attack that it was impossible to send a force equipped and provisioned into the pass. The only*way to prevent a reoccurrence will be to attack the Afridis in their stronghold at the Tirab Pass. The majority of the garrison from Fort Alimusjid have at Jamrud, at the south end of the Khyber Pass, bringing their arms with them. The telegraph wire to Parachmar has been cut in two places. The Ameer, in a letter to the Indian Government, called on God to witness that he had not iuduced the Tribesmen to rebel against the Empress of India.