INDIAN NATIVE TROUBLE

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 30

INDIAN NATIVE TROUBLE

ENGAGEMENT NEAR THE CHINESE j FRONTIER. ! THE ENEMY DEFEATED. CALCUTTA, February 18. The Zakka Kbels are cliiefl}- armed with Martinis, but they are suffering through a scarcity of ammunition. The tnbesmen a^oid engagements, but liai'dfs pickets and convoys. The sphere of operations covers an nr^a > of 20 miles by 10 miles in the cornei- of the Bazaar Valley. The ground is of a difficult nature for military operations. The other Afridi tribesmen show no desiie to participate. Major-general Willcocks commands 2008 British and 8622 native troops. Colonel Ro-s Keppell's column from Landikotal has effected a junction with , Major-general Willcocks unopposed. The British troops have occupied most of thp strongest positions in the Bazaar Valley. A number of Zakka Khels attacked the Sikhs who were escorting a large convoyto Chinar, but the Sikhs charged, carrying y high hill, with two casualties. A shell dispersed 300 Zakkas, who were building sangars on a hill near Chind. j February 19. The leaders of the Zakka Khel raids were among those killed during the sniping. The British are returning to camp, after destroying the fortified towers at Chinar. During the operations seven men were wounded. February 21. The casualties in the Bazaar Valley expedition to date aie 60 Zakka Khels killed, three British killed, and 13 wounded.

The printers of two native newspapers in this city have been sentenced to 24i and 12 months' imprisonment respectively for seditious articles. February 23. The columns under. Brigadiers Anderson and Barrett attacked the Zakkas <at Friday. The enemy was posted behind strong sangars on high hills around Halwa, about seven miles from the Chinese frontier. The position Avas carried, and the toweTS below were destroyed. Major Forbes Sempill, of the Seaforths* was killed. Major-general Willcocks describes Majoe* Sempill as one of the best officers in the service. He was killed through his gal-> lantry in leading one of his Majesty's finest battalions. Two . Indian non-commi=sioned officers and eight Sepoys were wounded. They are doing well. Major-general Willoocks attributes the; smallness of the British loss in mountain warfare to the peace- training of the troops. Biigadier Barrett made a frontal attack, and seized tha hills while the Seaforths entered the Bazaar Valley. Brigadier Anderson simultaneously maTched up another valley, and debouched over the Kotal, delivering a flank attack. The enemy being reinforced clung to tfoe rea-r flanks of the retiring Britishers, butt made no impression on them. KABUL, February 22. The Ameer has forbidden tie Afghan tribesmen to assist the enemies of Britain » which is in friendly alliance with Afghani* stan.