Operations in Waziristan

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Operations in Waziristan
Part of North West Frontier Campaigns
Date: November 1936 - December 1937
Location: Waziristan, NWF
Presidency: Bengal
Co-ordinates: 33.542357°N 70.326721°E
Result: Submission of tribesmen
Combatants
British & Indians Waziri tribesmen
Commanders
Gen Sir John Coleridge Fakir of Ipi
Strength
Up to 60,000 regular and irregular troops 4,000 tribesmen
Casualties

Summary[1]

Tori Khel tribesmen of North Waziristan led by the Fakir of Ipi were enraged at the outcome of the case of Islam Bibi, a Hindu girl who converted to Islam but was handed back to the Hindu community, and rose in revolt. The British decided to sent an expedition into the Khaisora Valley to reassert control. Columns from Razmak and Mir Ali met fierce opposition and were compelled to withdraw to Mir Ali. The insurrection spread through Waziristan and the British had to reinforce their garrisons. It proved impossible to engage the tribesmen in pitched battles and guerilla actions cost considerable casualties. Support for the Fakir began to wane and most of the additional forces were withdrawn towards the end of 1937. Trouble flared again in 1938 when a lashkar attacked Bannu. The Fakir was never caught but caused trouble to the Pakistan government until his commander, Mehar Dil, surrendered in 1954. The Fakir died in 1960.

Related articles

FIBIS resources

External links

Historical books online

Also available in a reprint edition[2] which in turn is available as part of an online book on the Ancestry owned pay website fold3.[3]

References

  1. The most detailed account of this campaign is to be found in Official history of operations on the N.W. frontier of India, 1936-37. Available online, refer above.
  2. Official History Of Operations On The North-West Frontier Of India 1936-1937 Naval & Military Press
  3. Official History of Operations on the NW Frontier of India fold3 (located in World War2/Military books/India). Consists of 2 books.