§ 30. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for India if he is able to communicate any information to the House as to military operations in India since War broke out?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINApart from punitive measures in the Kachin tracts of Upper Burma in January, in which a small force of military police and Gurkhas were engaged, it has been found necessary to take action on three occasions since the outbreak of War. In January the fort at Spina Khaisora was attacked by a force of Khostwals, which was repelled and driven back into tribal territory. In this affair Captain Jotham, of the North Waziristan Militia, lost his life in an act of signal gallantry, which has been recognised by the award of the Victoria Cross, as announced in Monday's papers.
In March a considerable force of Zadrans and others from Khost made an incursion into British territory. They were attacked near Miramshah by the Bannu Movable Column and the Military Police, and driven back with very heavy losses. Our losses were slight.
In April a Mohmand lashkar, estimated to number about 4,000 men, invaded British territory near Shabkadr, where they were attacked by the Khyber Movable Column. The enemy retired across the border and dispersed. Our casualties were about seventy.