§ 7. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information as to the at- 405 tempt of the Zakka Khel recently to carry off two officers of the British Army; and whether any of them have been captured or punished?
§ Mr. MONTAGUTwo British soldiers were kidnapped last month from Peshawar by a gang of Zakka Khel. They were detained in the Bazar Valley and were reported to be receiving good treatment. I have not received news of the release of these men, but I am making further inquiry.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman add further inquiries as to whether the culprits have been found?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe hon. Member knows—I think he has been there—that we are dealing with tribal territory, and punishment is difficult, but I have made inquiries into that.
§ 8. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information in reference to the recent murder of an English officer at Kohat, and the attempt of the tribesmen to carry away his wife?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe only information that I have received beyond that already published in the Press is that the tribesmen implicated were a gang of about thirty men belonging probably to the Zakka Khel and Kambar Khel Afridis. The condition of the lady who was wounded is satisfactory.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI must ask the same supplementary question, whether any information has been obtained in regard to the Zakka Khel themselves, and what steps are being taken with regard to these two outrages by the same tribe, one in capturing British soldiers and the other in murdering a British officer?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have anticipated the hon. Member by making inquiry on that very point.