CHITRAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2801, 11 April 1895, Page 1

CHITRAL.

Calcutta, April 7. News has been received that the Ist Chitral Brigade has entered Swat and driven back a force of five thousand natives who barred the road. The guides corps and cavalry subsequently charged twelve huudred of the enemy, cutting up thirty of their number. The rest fled to the hills. A large force of the enemy had collected at Than-', but they quietly dispersed wiieu warned to do so Umra Khan, with a large force, is preparing to resist the advance of the British troops at Taloob river to-morrow. It is estimated that the Swati* have lost at least 1000 men in the recent engagements. The Umrah forces have evacuate 1 the Sbahkot Pass, and are collecting at Tbaua in the Swat Valley. April 8, The First aud Second Brigades united at Aladiud and captured Thana, Umra’s cavalry aud tribesmen resisted the passage of the Swat river, aud after a lively skirmish 100 of them were killed. Chakrat has been occupied, and attempts are being renewed to open up communication between Gilw'« and Chritral. The Third lirigade has reached the Malakuqd, V'aw. Thirteen Sepoys were wounded at the Swat rivor engagement. The enemy, who numbered 5000, remained at the other end of the valley waiting for the British advance. Twelve hqndrud took up a position on the hills, aud fired from the sides The Si hs clambered up the slopes and fiercely engaged them, while the guides and cavalry charged and dislodged the main body. The Bedfordshire regiment repulsed an attack directed upon the stores. Tho British loss is reported to bo under twenty. pour thousand men, led by Umr;-.' himself, were wailing at Aladind fords in a strong position. Despite the constant lire from tho heights the British troops crossed the fords w\tfi « brilliant dash, the Bengal Lai’.,our* being the first over. Umra tied, and was pursued by the yayalry for nine miles.