FRONTIER AMBUSH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20587, 28 November 1936, Page 17 (Supplement)

FRONTIER AMBUSH

CLASH ON NORTHERN INDIA ACTIVITIES OF FIREBRAND FAKIR United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright NEW DELHI, November 26. Tribesmen ambushed a British column, which ”■ ,s sent to Waziristan, a north-west fr,. itier province, in consequence of tribal disaffection. Two British officers, one British private and 14 Indian soldiers were killed. Seventy-nine soldiers, of whom nine were British, were wounded.

The column, which came from Razmak, was ambushed in the Khaisora Valley. Its mission was to strengthen the pro-Government party, and expel a firebrand agitator. No punitive measures were intended.

The attack was unexpected. The tribesmen were driven off with the assistance of aircraft.

CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO ENGAGEMENT. FIREBRAND FAKIR ACTIVE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 26. Describing the circumstances leading up to the engagement in the Khaisora Valley, the Delhi correspondent of “The Times" says: A firebrand fakir, Ipi, has been causing unrest for some months by his attitude in connection with the alleged conversion of a Hindu girl to Islam, at Bannu. He fled last April as a result of Government action, taking refuge among the tribal elements in the Khaisora Valley, where he continued his anti-Government propaganda. Government supporters appealed to the tribe to expel the fakir or end his activities. The tribe replied that It was unable to control the fakir, thereupon two columns left Miraldl Damdil to march through the disaffected area. The sole purpose was to stiffen the tribal attitude against the fakir. The columns, however, were unexpectedly stubbornly opposed by large numbers of tribesmen, and heavy fighting ensued.