THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2288, 6 January 1898, Page 17

THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Calcutta, December 28.

The troops under C Lionel A. G. Hammond have reached Lundi Kotal, at the crest of the Khyber Pasp, which was captured by the rebels in August last. The interior of^ the fort was found to be destroyed and the water tupply stopped. The telegraph wire to Fort All Muejid, which alao fell into the hands of the enemy, had been cub. The force wore engaged in desultory fighting in maiching upen Luadi Kotal.

Biigadier-generai Gaseler destroyed Yakka Kfaels.

December 31

The telegraph wires at Kyber Pass are being continually cut by turbulent tribssmen.

Major-general Sir H. M. Havelock-AUan while riding through the Khyber Pass on Wednesday left bis escort. His horse was substqaently found stripped and shot near Fort AU. Sir H. Havelock-AlSan'a body was found in a mutilated condition. It is believed that he was captured by the Zakka Khals.

Later reports state that the body of Sir Havelock- Allan was not mutilated. Sir Havelock was without an official mission. He went to the frontier with a view to obtaining information for the use of the Imperial Parliament. He had been visiting Lundi Kotal, and on approaching Jamrud he hurried forward, leaving his escort. The body is being sent to Peshawar.

January 1.

The Zitkka Khels tribesmen are proving obdurate. Two of their villages have been burned and 25 hill towers destroyed.

S*iarp fightiDg has occurred at the Khyber Pass. The tribesmen attacked a convoy, killing 30 and wounding 11 privates belonging to the Oxfordshire Light Infantry. Colonel F. H. Piowder and two officers of the came regiment were also wounded. January 2. Sir William Lcckhart has obtained three months furlough, and will visit England.

Major-general Sir Arthur Power Palmer, commanding the Punjab field forces, will replace him as commander of the forces in the Panjab.

An important section of the Afridie, who recently submitted to the Britisb, are sufrcri»g from the intense cold, and their cattle are dying.

The Zakka Khels have blocked the road between Forts All Musjid and Luadi Kotal, and are constantly cutting the telegraph wires.