THE DISASTER IN INDIA.

Hastings Standard, Issue 347, 14 June 1897, Page 3

THE DISASTER IN INDIA.

FU RTHER r A RTICUL A LIS

THE ATTACK ORGANISED BY A FANATIC TRIE ST.

REINFORCEMENTS SENT TO QUELL 4ilE OUTBREAK.

(IVr PrcM^v*"' i'itim. —'•) Cai.cctta, -June 12. Further particulars of the attack on the British force in Afghanistan show that the expedition was accompanying Mr Gee, a political officer of ilie Indian Department, who had b'.c ml*: to arranvr" the establishment of outpost stations at Sheraus and collect a tribal fine.

The expedition was surprised while resting under the trees by great forces of Mulicks organised by IV.vindah, a notorious fanatic mollah or priest, who was recently expelled for inciting the tribesmen to revolt.

The expedition was taken completely by surprise and compelled to retreat, keeping up a desperate- fight for a distance of four miles, when reinforcements arrive! from Rattakei. Eventually the Malieks were beaten off. The expedition succeeded in saving the guns, but sustained very severe losses. Captain J. F. Browne, Royal Artillery, ~on of the late MajorGeneral Sir -Tames Browne, Chief Commissioner and Governor-General's Agent in Beloochistan, and Lieutenant Hugh Alexander C'ruickshank, Royal Artillery, with Colonel Bunny, officer in command of the expedition, were killed, while all the other oilicers were seriously wounded. Strong reinforcements has been dispatched from India to the scene of the outbreak. •Tune 13. Mulicks brought the Afghanistan expedition a quantity of feed, and suddenly a thousand tribesmen treacherously attacked the party. All the officers were wounded except Herbert W. Gee, political officer at Tochi.

The expedition offered gallant resistance, 50 tribesmen being killed and many wounded.