ON THE FRONTIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13744, 8 May 1908, Page 5

ON THE FRONTIER.

AFGHANS PUT TO FLIGHT. THREE HUNDRED KILLED. A DASHING CHARGE. ',-.: By Telegraph.— Association.Copyright. 1 Calcutta, May 6. During the fighting in < the neighbourhood of Landi Kotal, Khyber Pass, on Monday, the Fortieth Pathans, with a great dash, carried the strongly-held high crest of a hill commanding the British blockhouse, forcing bacj\>the enemy by an impetuous Si-tl determined charge .;' Having occupied the position the Pathans, in conjunction with the Royal Minister Fusiliers, captured a series of ridges leading to Kargala village, where the severest fighting took place. ' During the fight the tribesmen 1 lost 300 killed and as many wounded between Shabkadar and Landi Kotal. , BRITISH FORCES RETIMING. "UNDER ORDERS FROM , HOME." DECISION MUCH DISCUSSED. (Received May 8, 12.8 a.m.). Calcutta, May 7. The battery of artillery is returning to Peshawar. It is understood at Simla that the British are evacuating Khyber Pass under orders from England. The decision is much discussed in Simla. It transpires that early in March the Afghan authorities on the frontier informed the 'Ameer that "they had inadequate forces. Afghans are joining the Mobm'ahds, 500 out of 1500 militia deserting with arms and ammunition. Some of the Afghan contingents who attacked Khyber Pass came from Tezin, 35. miles from Kabul.

Major-General Wilcocks returns to Peshawar to-day. The forces are retiring on Alimasjid and Peshawar.

Two mountain guns are to remain at Landi Kotal. , .