THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1920, Page 5

THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

HOTORIOUS MASHUD RAIDERS. The Malisuds are a branch of the Wazirs, and inhabit the rusged mountain country between the Upper Indus and the border of Afghanistan. They are notorious as the most invcterato raiders on the frontier During the past half century their lawless habits have compelled the Indian Government to send many expeditions against them, They have a fighting strength estimated at about 14,000 men. The present protracted and costly expedition arose out of the Afghan war. During the operations which led to the Ameer's submission, most of the frontier tribes, notably the Moh>nands nnd Afridis, remained quiet, and showed no disposition to respond to the incitements to a Holy War. Incursions by the Malisuds, however, began about the fccginninj of June. From this time onward they gave increasing trouble. Shortly afterwards it was announced that the British had been forced to evacuate their advanced positions in W'aziristan, which was occupied or burned by Malisuds and Wiwlrs. The fort of Jandola was besieged by a force of 5000 tribesmen, but was relieved by a force from Tauk, to the east. The Mahsuds, however, never ceased their raids and attacks on convoys, which were earvied to within a few miles of the Indus. The Government of India at length decided upon vigorous action. The punitive measures were to include an intensive bombardment from the air, a plan which had proved very effective aeainst. the Afghans. First, however, the tribesmen were summoned to a .jirgn or council of tribal leaders, and the British terms were submitted to them. The .jirga. was hold on November 3 with much ceremony. A council of 2:"0 influential Malisuds met General Climo, and watched with apprehension a squadron of Bristol fighting 'planes circling overhead. The terms were rejected, and the new punitive measures were begun. The aeroplane operations were on a large scale, 25 machines being engaged in some raids. They were only partially successful, a few sections of Wazirs and some Mahsuds came in, but on December 1 SOO nomad Waziris made an attack on a train near Thai and killed or wounded 80 persons. It was decided, therefore, to march troops into the heart of the Malisud country. A column was pushed forward to Jandola. The Malisuds fought desperately and inflicted a temporary reverse on the British column, which in several days' operations lost 500 or 600 casualties. The resistance, however, collapsed, and the later fighting appears to have convinced the tribesmen tbat acccntance of the British terms was advisable.