AMBUSHED TROOPS FIGHT GALLANTLY

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 7

AMBUSHED TROOPS FIGHT GALLANTLY

STORY .OF INDIAN ENGAGEMENT

f United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received 10 a.m.)

NEW DELHI, November 29,

Government communiques describe how British and Indian troops, including a' battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment, fought their way for. three days through hostile tribesmen during the demonstration in Waziristan on November 26, when the force was ambushed.

Two columns have been sent from Razmak in consequence of tribal disaffection, not, as a punitive force.but merely to strengthen the pro-Govern-ment party in the face of trouble caused by a firebrand agitation.

The Iboops had reach6d the Khaisora Valley, when they were ambushed. The tribesmen, lying concealed in caves and scrub, harried them incessantly. Young tribesmen, however, exposed themselves freely, and were successfully engaged on several occasions, when they suffered considerably.

The courage of the enemy in such country made the task of the troops difficult and casualties were inevitable. ' The troops continued to advance with gallantry and determination, and eventually marched to Mirali, the enemy’s activities culminating in , attacks on the rearguard, which were held off by Air Force bombing, artillery and machine gims. Two British officers, one British private and 14 Indian soldiers were killed, and 79 soldiers, nine of them British, were wounded.