§ 4. Mr. SORENSENasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has a statement to make concerning recent military incidents in the North-West Frontier Province?
§ 7. Sir PATRICK HANNONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make a further statement on the attack by tribesmen on British troops on the North-West Frontier; whether any further casualties have been reported since the issue of the Government communication to the Press on Thursday; and whether the situation is now satisfactory?
§ Mr. BUTLERIn 1935 the Tori Khel tribesmen inhabitating the lower Khaisora Valley in North Waziristan entered into an agreement to permit full access to their country and to give no harbourage to outlaws or persons hostile to the British Government. A fanatic known as the Faqir of Ipi (in the neighbouring Tochi valley) has been causing unrest this year in connection with the alleged conversion of a minor Hindu girl to Islam. As a result of Government action he took refuge in the lower Khaisora, whence he continued anti-Government propaganda. Representatives of the Tori Khel professed themselves unable to control the Faqir in the absence of some demonstration on the part of the Government. It was, therefore, decided to march troops through the area in order to stiffen the pro-Government party and counter the influence of the Faqir.
As regards the actual operations I have nothing to add to the Government of 812 India's communique issued to the Press here and in India yesterday, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. This gives the total casualties as 19 killed and 112 wounded during the three days' operations up to the time when the combined column reached Mir Ali. The tribesmen put up serious opposition from the outset of the operations on the 25th, and in view of the nature of the country through which the columns advanced, casualties were inevitable. I am sure that the House would wish to express its sympathy with the relations of those who lost their lives. The units concerned behaved with great gallantry throughout. The further measures necessary to deal with the situation are under the Government of India's consideration.
§ Sir P. HANNONIf I put down another question to my hon. Friend this day week, perhaps he will be prepared to make a further statement?
§ Mr. BUTLERCertainly.
§ Mr. SORENSENDo I understand from the reply that the alleged tribesmen who are causing this trouble do not come from the British part of the province but from the region immediately adjoining
§ Mr. BUTLERYes, Sir.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs there any truth in the statement in the Press that British troops were ambushed?
§ Mr. BUTLERI am very glad that the hon. Member has given me the opportunity to deny the story that British troops were ambushed. The nature of the country through which the column advanced made casualties inevitable, but, in fact, all attempts at ambush were thwarted.
Following is the communique: The following is an account of the fighting which took place in the Khaisora Valley from 25th to 27th November, 1936, which amplifies the information given in previous communiques. On the morning of 25th November two columns moved towards the Khaisora Valley with the object of joining hands at Biche Kashkai. One column advanced from Mir Ali in the north, the other from Damdil in the west. As already stated, the movement was 813 in the nature of a demonstration only. Although some opposition from the recalcitrant Wazir followers of the Faqir of Ipi was considered possible, it was not anticipated that this would be of a serious nature. The Damdil column first met with opposition after it had advanced about three miles, and from there as far as Biche Kashkai opposition was continuous. The route followed a valley with scrub-covered sides, which contained many caves. Here the enemy showed great courage and determination, lying concealed until the leading troops were at short range and then slipping away to further cover. In such country, in spite of close search of the ground and close support of troops with gun and machine-gun fire, the courage of small pa-ties of the enemy or even individuals all along the route made the task of the troops difficult and casualties inevitable. Our troops, however, continued their advance, clearing their way with gallantry and determination. The rearguard of the column was fired on when passing a point in the valley only two miles from Damdil, and was closely followed for the remainder of the march. At times considerable bodies of the enemy formed on the southern flank and closely followed the rearguard, searching for opportunities to attack, when they came on with gallantry.
It was in one of these attacks on a picuet of the 6th (Royal) Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles that Major Seecombe lost his life. He launched a counter-attack and was, unfortunately, killed while gallantly leading his men. In the evening the Damdil column went into camp at Biche Kashkai. The column from Mir Ali met opposition about seven miles south of that place. This took the form of sniping at comparatively close ranges and was continuous. In consequence of this and of the difficult and broken nature of the country on the route the progress of the column was slow. It was as a result of this intensive sniping that Major Tindall, 3/7th Rajputs, and two other officers were wounded, Major Tindall subsequently dying of wounds. In the evening the column had not reached the objective and the column Commander decided to halt for the night some two miles north of Biche Kashkai. The camp was sniped during the night. On the morning of 26th November two battalions and a 814 battery from the Damdil column moved out from Biche Kashkai and joined forces with the Mir Ali column. Little opposition was met with and the whole force concentrated at Biche Kashkai. On 27th November the force moved northwards to Mir Ali. At first little opposition was met with, but later this increased, culminating in a final enemy effort as the rearguard of the force reached the Tochi Valley. Throughout the day enemy detachments and snipers were effectively engaged by machine-gun and artillery fire. The co-operation of the Royal Air Force was most successful. On more than one occasion parties of the enemy, having been forced into the open by artillery fire, aircraft dived and bombed parties repeatedly.
The spirit of our troops and their bearing throughout the operations were beyond praise. They were specially successful in dealing with all attempts the enemy made according to their custom to lay ambushes, which were completely thwarted on every occasion. Our losses on this day were due to long range sniping. All the wounded were brought into Mir Ali on the afternoon of 27th November, and evacuated to Bannu in motor ambulances. Owing to the absence of any road fit for wheeled vehicles on the route of the column, wounded were evacuated to roadhead at Mir Ali, either in camel kajawahs for lying cases or on riding ponies for sitting cases. All stood the journey well. At Mir Ali warm meals and hot drinks were ready and, after the adjustment of dressings, the wounded were cheerful and restored. The general condition of all casualties evacuated to Bannu on the evening of the 27th was very good. A few serious cases are in hospital at Mir Ali until their condition justifies their further evacuation. Personnel from the following headquarters and units were engaged in the operations in the Khaisora Valley between 25th and 27th November, 1936: Headquarters, Waziristan District; Razmak Brigade; Bannu Brigade; Indian Cavalry; 5th Probyns Horse; Royal Artillery; Headquarters, 22nd Mountain Brigade; Royal Artillery, No. 3 Light Battery; Royal Artillery, No. 4 Mountain Battery; No. 7 Mountain Battery; Sappers and Miners; No. 15, Field Company, Madras Sappers and Miners; Royal Corps of Signals; Waziristan District Signals; British Infantry, 1st Battalion the 815 Northamptonshire Regiment; Indian Infantry, 3rd Battalion (D.C.O.); 7th Rajput Regiment; 5th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment (Q.V.O. Corps of Guides); 6th Royal Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles; 1st Battalion (P.W.O.), 17th Dogra Regiment; 1st Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles; Royal Indian Army Service Corps; Razmak Brigade Supply Issue Sections Nos. 1, 10, 15, 24, 25, 35; Animal Transport Companies; Medical Units, Nos. 7 and 8 Field Ambulances; Veterinary Units, Razmak Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section; Royal Air Force No. 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron; Royal Air Force No. 27 (Bomber) Squadron.
The total casualties in the operations in the Khaisora Valley during the period 25th to 27th November reported to date are 19 killed, 112 wounded. The following information is available regarding casualties who are included in the above totals:
Indian officers wounded: Subadar Major Jemadar Khan, 3/7th Rajputs; Jemadar Charnel Singh, 5/12th Frontier Force Rifles.
British other ranks wounded: 5876036, Sergeant Jackson; 1883205, Sergeant Coles; 5882743, Lance-Corporal Stevens; 5883696, Private Needham; 5881966, Private Wooley; 5882737, Private Stone; 5882716, Private Moore; 5882712, Private Ames; 5881959, Private White; 3717607, Private Sharman; 5882009, Private Roberts; all of 1st Battalion the Northamptonshire Regiment. 3522734, Signaller Herman, Royal Signals, and Signaller Coulson, Royal Signals.