THE AFGAN WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1929, Page 7

THE AFGAN WAR

NADIR’S PROCLAMATION. PESHAWAR, October 18. Kabul ' was attached on Sunday, and after a sharp skirmish fell to the forces of .Shall Wali. The capital was immediately oec-up-:ed. Baelia Saehao made .good his escape. About ten days ago ‘Nadir Khan launched his great autumn attack. He divided his forces into three armies—me at his headquarters at Ali Khel, mder liis own command; the second farther south; and the third in the ijogar Valley. His scheme, of attack was for Shall Mahmud to hold the south, while Shah Wali pushed through the Logar Valey, the general’s own forces niaintainng a strong-flank guard. Saha Mahmud was the first to bring us lashkais (troops) into action. 7 HOURS’ FIERCE FIGHTING. Fire was opened shortly before dawn, uid after seven hours’ fierce fighting he small, but strongly fortified, outpost of Mirzakai was taken.

Baelia Sachao’s followers were routed, any being taken prisoners. Outside Mirzakai is a large hill called the Sikaram Peak. This strategic point was infested with Bacha’s followers, but thev had dug themselves in and could not be seen from the plains. Prisoners, who pleaded for mercy, disclosed the fact that strong forces would shortly deliver a counter-at-tack, probably to regain Mirzakai. It was chiefly due to this information that Shah Mahmud scored his second gain.

The country was reconnoitred with the help of the prisoners, and at dnisk Shall Mahmud opened his attack. The hill was rushed and captured after three hours’ fighting. Two Italian guns, three Lewis guns, and 300 prisoners wore taken, including three colonels.

It was then that Nadir Khan’s battle scheme was nearly wrecked, for a section of his tribesmen mutinied. Dissatisfaction immediately spread uirough the ranks, and it was only, the sternest action on the part of Shall Mahmud that saved the situation. The mutineers were dismissed, and the distribution of the captured munitions satisfied the remainder of the forces.

Shah Mahmud’s next move was towards Ga.rdoz, hut he received urgent order from Nadir Khan to hold his ground. The wisdom of this instruction was disclosed a,few days ago. While Shah Mahmud had been conquering to the south, Shall Wali, his brother, had begun his advance on Kabul through the Logar Valley. News of Shah Mahmud’s victories spread throughout Afghanistan, and Shah Wali, instead of finding intensely hostile tribes, met little opposition. He pushed on to a town known in the vernacular as “the key to Kabul,” which was strongly defended, Baelia Saehao having massed the greater part of the artillery there. Shall Wali extended his front line in the shape of a horseshoe, keeping strong reinforcements some two miles in the, roar.

Just lifter dawn his troops opened fire. The intensity of the barrage surprised Baelia’s soldiers, who wei'o tired of war and' alarmed at the strength of Nadir Khan, and after four hours’ fighting the Amir’s troops were routtm. Ha,'vang captured this bottle-neck Shah Wall had to march ,on Obarassia. If successful there, Ids next attack would be at the gates of Kabul —for Charassia is only six miles from the capital. At Charassia Bach a himself was in command. Leaving the city he advanced to meet the foe. Shah Widi’s inen wore from the most part Waziris, pastninstors in the art of open warfare, while Baclia's followers preferred fighting from behind battlements. Shah Wali attacked in short rushes, and within two hours CJmrassja was ill his possesion,

BASHA IN FLIGHT. Bn cl i a Sacliao, however, had fled. In the meantime Jalalibail, in the eastern province had fallen, chiefly due to the had tactics of Molmmed /dam, Baclia’s commander there. For weeks the Shimvari and the Moilman d tribesmen in the district had been quarrelling over the collection and distribution of tolls Finally a jirgii (council) bad been called at Had. cl a Fort, in the suburbs of Jalallabad.

Molmmed Alum saw bis opoprtunity of enlisting the Shinwarls and Mohmands and sent emissaries to gain their allegiance. He also sent a strong military guard. This caused the ultimate fall of Jalnllabad, for an armed patrol opened fire on the members of the jirga.

Immediately the tribesmen were up in arms. Word was sent to the Mohamads on the far side of the Kabul river that an attack bad been launched, and in an incredibly short time o,()00 infuriated tribesmen were- marching into Jalnllabad. Thus fid I' the fast stronghold of Bacha Sacliao in the eastern province. Nadir Khan on Saturday issued final instruction. Shah Mahmud was to leave sufficient men in the south to prevent the Garde/ garrison from delivering a rearguard attack, and to follow up the Logar Valiev, and Shall Wali was to advance on Kabul. At two o’clock on Sunday afternoon Shah Wali reached and entered the capital, only a few shots being exchanged.

Bach a Sachao’s staff was immediately seized and imprisoned, though the Amir himself had disappeared probably into the wilds of Jubble Sera'j.

LOOTING FORBIDDEN. Immediately orders were issued forbidding looting and sabotage, and proclaiming dire penalties for all offenders. - Shall Wali lias taken command temporarily, while Nadir Khan has issued from Ali Kliel a preliminary pro clamation stating that lie lias conquered Afghanistan, and requesting all tribes to cease fighting pending the establishment of a new Government.

Nadir Khan has waited ten months for victory. Ten months of scheming has resulted in this dramatic march through the world’s most turbulent country to victory. To-dav Kabul i ■eagerly awaiting the arrival of the exgeneral who had outwitted the bandit Amir, whose capture of the capital was as spectacular as that achieved by Shall Wali. As far as is known peace reigns in Kabul, but since the fall of the city the wireless transmitter has been out of action. Either Baelia wrecked it oi has taken it with him or else the operators have fled. It will be some days before further information is available owing to the difficulties of delivering despatches to the frontier. At the moment Nadir Khan is travelling from Ali Khel and should arrive at Kabul to-morrow (Saturday).

THE NEXT KING. It is impossible to foresee Nadir Khan’s future movements. Probably lie will feel the pulse of the tribesmen before nominating the next king. One thing is certain—-Nadir Khan has no intention of accepting the throne of the country, which ho liaswrested from the hands of the oneItijmc w'ater-CMJr.rier, , t bandit, thief, gaol-bird, and lately general and Amir.