THE AFGHAN WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 90, 16 April 1929, Page 7

THE AFGHAN WAR

EX-KING SUCCESSFUL , REBEL LEADER DEFEATED I Australian Press Assn. T ' •*. DELHI, April 14. Kandahar reports heavy fighting between the forces of Amanullah and Bacha-i-Sakao, tho rebel king, resulting in the defeat of tho latter, who suffered heavy casualties. Amanullah'a troops in their advance on Kabul have captured Chazi. Tho march on Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, by the ex-King Amanullah was directed against the rebel loader Bacha-i-Sakao, who in January last usurped tho throne and called himself Amir Habibulla Ghazi (the victorious). His original name means “the watercarrier’s son.” lie is believed to have been a subordinate member of the Afghan mission -which negotiated with the British at Mussoorie in 1920 after Amaimlluh’s unsuccessful attempt to provoko a revolt in India. Hc took to brigandage as the result of what ha considered base ingratitude on tho part of the army leaders Ho was set upoi by robbers, killed two of them and ro turned in triumph to Kabul, expect* ing to bo rewarded. Instead ho wal tried for murder and sent to prison. When he was released he went to India, for a time and sold tea in Peshawar at a half-penny a cup. Then suddenly Bach-i Sakao left t( join a band of Afghan bandits, whns( chief he became. He robbed ana piling ed, but was careful to spare the downtrodden, whose champion he declared himself to be. A splendid shot, brave as a lion, a man of superb physique, he proved himself an adept at guerilla warfare. After Amanullah had rendered himself unpopular owing to his reforms, the brigand chief offered to go to his aid with 12,000 men. Then, realising that Amanullah was likely to get the worst of it, he went over to the rebel camp. Another version of his hostility to Amanullah is that Bacha-i-Hakoa wrote to him asking for forgiveness for his deeds as a ' edit and promising to enter the Royal service. Amanullah is said to have agreed to this, whereupon one day the bandit called him up on the telephone, imitating the voice of a provincial Governor, told the King that Bacha-i-Sakoa was there and asked what was to be dono with him. Amanullah is said to hava fallen into the trap and to have replied that the bandit was to bo. “removed” or blinded. The enraged brigand made himself known ami cried, “ L will come to Kabul to-morrow and blind you.” Next day he began his attack on the capital. When Amanullah abdicated in view of the military successes of the rebels and his elder brother Inayatulla occupied the throne in his stead, it was remarked that Bacha-i-Sakoa went on lighting. His forces attacked Kabul and surrounded the palace, compelling Inayatulla to abdicate after a reign of three days. Bacha-i-Sakoa then usurped the throne. Hc kept perfect ordef in the capital and arranged with the British Minister for the transfer of Inayatulla and his family to India by Habibulla had 15,000 men under Rim and it was reported that the eastern tribes sent delegates to meet him, but ho only holds sway over a fraction of the country ami his rule is anathema to the progressive portion of the community, notably the traders. A few days after ho had seized power it was reported that a movement had begun to overthrow him. Amanullah, who hadbetaken himself to Kandahar, was said to have tho intention of trying to regain his lost throne. An Indian at Lahore, whose name if Mahomed Akbar Murid Puri, recently stated that Bacha-i-Sakoa, evidently fearing attempts on his life, is always guarded, even at prayer. He realises, said Mahomed Akbar, that he is caught like a rat in a trap. He trusts only his chief henchman. Syed Hussain, whom hc met in a hill-fight some yean ago, when they were rival leaders of opposing gangs of bandits. Bacha-i-Sakoa won the fight. He took a fancy to his rival and challenged him to a shooting match, which Syed Hussain won. The soldiers think the usurper has a charmed life owing to his many hairbreadth escapes. Once he was hurled many yards by the explosion of a shell which hurst almost at his foot. It was not until later he discovered he had been wounded in the shoulder, and he quickly bound up the injury with the end of his turban.