THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 536, 27 August 1897, Page 2

THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

A Fort Burned by the Rebels

Two other British Posts Surrounded.

A Great Force of British Troops on the Frontier.

Khyber Pass Swarming with Natives.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Per Press Association.

Calcutta, August 25. The Afridis captured and burned Fort Maude, and the garrison was compelled to retire, losing 80 men. Sadda and Papa, two fortified posts, are surrounded, and it is doubtful whether the relief force fiom Kobat can effect a rescue m time. When the Mohammedans attacked Sbabkadar recently they burned the sacred books in the Sikh temple. The Sikhs throughout the Punjab are very indignant at the outrage. Brigadier Ellis is now in command of 11,000 men, with 36 guns and 18 squadrons of cavalry. Calcutta, August 25. The British have mobilised 32,000 troops on the frontier. These, with the ordinary garrisons, make an available force of 42,000. All the bridges in the Upper Punjab Valley are strictly guarded. Keyber Pass is swarming with Afridis. Their lines extend for a mile and a half.

Reports from Peshawar state that Mir Bashir and Mullah Ham.d, with a large body of Afr.dis, attacks 1 a force of Sepoys at Aligdsjid on Monday, killing 300 of them and seizing their rifles. They afterwards attacked Lowraat.

The Time3' Simla correspondent states that the Afridis are so elated with their successes that they

aulacious.y suggested the terms on which the British troops should be withdrawn from the Swat Valley. One condition is that all the Afridis' women living in British territory should be yielded up, while another condition requires a revision of the salt regulations. A British column under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Westmaco'.i fired upon the Afridis at a distance of 300yds and dispersed them.

The garrison of Fort Maude, after quitting, joined Westmacotl s force. An uneasy feeling prevails at Quetta in regard to the safety of Pamchinar, six days' journey from Kohat, where the garrison is small.

The British have abandoned Fort Jebamgera. Received 7.45 p.m. Calcutta. August 25. The Afridis evacuated Fort Alimus and a number of them joined the en ray. who burned several forts. Brigadier-General Ellis is marching to intercept four thousand Afridis who are approaching Fort Bara.

The Queen despatched a message to the troops at Khyber Pass, expressing her appreciation of their efforts, and inquiry for the wouuded.