AFGHANS INVADE WAZIRISTAN.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 June 1919, Page 6

AFGHANS INVADE WAZIRISTAN.

SIMLA, .Tunc 1. General Nadir Khan entered Waziristan tribal territory, along throe routes, with Afghan regulars, and .'>(> guns. Their attack on posts was fainthearted and failed to make an impression, the enemy contenting themselves with long-range sniping. Evidently they are uncertain on which side the Waziris' sympathies lie. Xine-pounder guns used by the Afghans in recent skirmishes have very little destructive effect. There is no chance of the enemy reaching B'annu or Kohat. Our concentrations are proceeding rapidly. Afghan troops fled from Birkot. Our advance continues. Measures have been taken to punish the villagers at" Utruanzai, 20 miles from Peshawar, where the ringleaders of a dangerous intrigue were arrrcstod. This has had a quieting effect in Peshawar. (Waziristan is a highland country between the Kurrum and Gomul passes. Formerly Afghan, it was transferred to British India in 1594, and is now part of the North-West frontier province.) WELL ARMED AND EQUIPPED. LONDON, May 22. Large forces of Afghans are facing the British expedition, the Afgha regulars being well armed and well equipped in every way. They are formidable adversaries. British concentration east of the Khyber Pass is proceeding steadily. The Amir's attempts to raise the border tribes have generally failed. though there is some wavering. Owing to desertions, the British disbanded the Khyber Rifles. The British representative at Kandahar has reached Quetta. He says n Jehad (holy war) is being vigorously preached.