A personal narrative
The British Factor and Asia in the
Twentieth Century

Chapter V

DJ is serialising extracts from the proposed book by Maj (Retd) RAJA MUHAMMAD SARWAR DHUDDY.

British India’s North West Tribal Territories

a. Frontier Warfare - Peculiarities

After disembarkation leave, I was to report to Transit Camp at Bannu in the North West Frontier Province of India. I was posted to the famous  "Guides Infantry", full name " 5th Battalion The Queen Victoria’s Own Corps of Guides, the Frontier Force Regiment". The battalion was at a camp at Gardai, a small place about 20 miles short of major Cantonment of Razmak, in the heart of Waziristan. A tribal belt existed, and still exists, between the settled or British administered districts of North West Frontier Province of India now Pakistan and Afghanistan. This territory extended almost along the entire length of the Frontier Province and was split between various tribes and sub tribes which were constantly in feuds with each other. The area comprises high mountains with major passes through which large scale movements had been taking place in ancient history. These mountains for most part are barren, with scant rains hence water and pastures are available at few selected places and the rest of mountains do not provide facilities for much of agriculture or food production. Because of the martial nature of people which was built as a result of mass movements of races and tribes, often resulting in use of force, adopted a way of life which was considered more honourable. Due to extremely hard living conditions and long distances between important places, the people are hardy and physically very fit. Their occupations include, rearing of stocks of sheep and goats and also camel.  Wood collection and sale being much common occupation.  Where water is available some primitive cultivation of maize and millets is done. Feuds on rights of water could be centuries old and most common for constant hostility between them. These tribes have common ancestry and language but their sub-divisions, mainly due to geographical conditions, has resulted in their perpetual animosity with each other.  Their activities remain confined to their tribal domains and any move out of it can only be made either through Protocol arrangements based on mutual give and take, or on the strength of their arms.  These tribes have unwritten code of conduct, it is their "Magna Carta".  Each tribe having a Chief called "Malik" and then there are inherited authorities such as "Sirdar", "Khan" etc. Their mutual feuds and litigations are settled through the assemblage of elders and chosen representatives, and the chief of the tribe ensures rigid compliance. Feuds or disputes with their rivals are the responsibility of the Chief supported by the elders of his tribe.  These tribes are almost hundred percent Muslims and they would defend their spiritual beliefs at any cost.  They are almost entirely illiterate with few exceptions such as Tribal Maliks, Sirdars and such individuals, who have lived outside their territories. The said tribal territory is separated from AFGHANISTAN, by a line, demarcated during British rule over India, which is called "DURAND LINE".

The British, during the 19th and 20th centuries were always concerned with Russian Southward movement and it was in pursuit of that policy that AFGHANISTAN was created, maintained and treated as a Buffer State. Afghanistan, being a landlocked country with its natural trading routes flowing through this tribal belt into Indian Sub Continent, never restricted interaction   between its own citizens and those tribesmen living in this tribal belt. The British, on the other hand required strict control on all trade and other movements for security and political reasons. The British adopted a clever policy which not only ensured control of this territory but also ensured a viable and strong defence against any contemplated Russian invasion. Throughout this tribal belt, they established a network of Cantonments, Fort and Military Garrison Posts. In addition to regular troops, they created Civil Armed Force, called Frontier Constabulary or Scouts.  This force was entirely composed of men from tribal territories but a unit or sub-unit was not posted within its own area. Afridi tribesmen would serve in Waziristan and Waziris would be serving in Khyber Pass etc. This force was officered by British and Indian officers of the British Indian Army. Highly fit physically, alert mentally, skilled in the art of quick and sharp movement with mobility, this force was an equal of the tribesmen who from all angles of efficiency were unbeatable. Where this force had an edge over the men who they were supposed to control, was their superior organization, system of communication and support of heavy weapons etc. An organization of political agents well versed with the lifestyle and customs of tribesmen was established for maintaining peace and pacification. Officers posted into regular Army units as well as those posted to Frontier Corps Units, were required to acquire full knowledge of tribal territory, the frontier warfare, which was totally different from normal warfare and the characteristics of the tribesmen.  It is necessary to know why British policy makers maintained a tribal belt, divided into many areas, each inhabited by a different tribe.  This belt existed and still exits covering historical mountain passes including Khyber, Kurram, Tochi and Gomal through which various races moved down into fertile Indus plain from the north.  These passes controlled by the British in almost all cases were below the buffer state of Afghanistan which again has tribal system even today.

The clever British who had the responsibility to keep expanding Russian empire away from India, ensured that no stretch of territory came to have a common border with that power. So much so that we see a thin "Chicken like neck of territory between Pamirs and states of Dir, Chitral and Hunza of British India’.  Even a stretch of that border was left in common with Chinese Sinkiang. But the British were not contented at that and vigorously adopted defensive measures which can be graded as a masterpiece of strategy.

The most important defence measure was, organization of most efficient and effective system of timely information.  For this they gave asylum to some well placed dignitaries from lands occupied or annexed by Russia.  They became British pensioners and their job was to maintain links with their people left behind. This ensured reliable and timely passing of information of strategical or intelligence nature.  In addition normal intelligence agencies and departments were doing  their routine work. The political agent’s organization ensured similar works in tribal areas.

Besides various fortifications and cantonments there are troops stations.  The British constructed large-scale obstacles in the beds of dry nullahs or open flat patches to stop all type of vehicular movement. The obstacles were constructed with steel and cement and were so strong that in those days there wasn’t any easily available technology with troops to destroy those.  These are there on the ground even now and one can see some of those when passing through Khyber Pass, on way to Kabul from Peshawar.

The other advantage which the British gained through maintaining such tribal territories was helpful for their Army in India. Units stationed in this turbulent tribal territory were smartened to the last degree of efficiency -- they had practical training due to tribesmen’s military activity and the British Indian Army was generally found fit for war at all times. Officership, both civil and military had to remain knowledgeable and up-to-date and there was no ground for complacency.

Continued struggle by tribesmen was ensured because of a system created through British sagacity.  These tribes run their affairs through their elders, as said earlier who are called Sirdars, Maliks etc.  The British distributed money through  political agents for these tribes to maintain peace.  Such subsidy or grant was distributed down to all family heads. The cogent reason being to help the population for subsistence because such territory is deficient in food production and also there were no other means. Now taking advantage of this, tribesmen would create disturbances, either by blowing up of some culvert or blocking some route of British Army maintenance convoy. In some cases they would embarrass various garrisons or posts or even attack those for want of weapons. That would set the political agent’s machinery at works and there was continuous process of negotiations culminating in more grants to tribesmen.

I was first "attached" to the officers mess for a week to read all the material available in the mess library. Then I was to spend a week in an isolated, self-contained  "Piquet" as a section Commander having 10 men to command.  A piquet is constructed of strong stones and cement, two stories high with only "loop holes" for firing down in all directions while you remained safe against fire or assault by the ferocious tribesmen. The other form of Piquet is constructed by making walls of loose stones with a gate designed against capturing through assault. This then strengthened through a very thick layer of concertina barbed wire mesh fence, well away from the walls so as to prevent grenade lobbing into the piquet. Inside, some digging gives additional security while you are resting or sleeping.  The dugout is covered by a tent.  This small piquet garrison or post is one of a few established all around the camp on top of dominating features. One of such posts, No1 of Gardai was placed on top of fairly flat stony spur, completely  bare of any bush or tree.  It was well situated to command against interference with the main camp, hence a very important one.  Only some weeks earlier, the Wazir tribesmen had assaulted and annihilated an entire post on the other side of the camp. Now I was there having been moved in along with my men to relieve the previous garrison.  We had been provided with sufficient  rations and water as per laid down scales. Once the Battalion had withdrawn to the main camp, we were on our own with no telephone contact, but had wireless net available to be used only in emergency. I was to organize details of sentry duties and each man including myself was to perform two hours sentry duty at a stretch and then be relieved.  Absolute discipline and silence was to be maintained throughout and all senses always alert and tuned towards appearance of any tribesman in the visible or audible distance.  We were to observe every single move of any man or animal to ensure that we were not surprised.  With such cautions and full devotion to duty, one night at about past mid-night, I was on sentry duty along with another soldier. He was to keep moving within his half circle of the wall while I was to do the same in the other half circle.  Suddenly there was a bang in the stillness of the night outside the wall and in the direction of the sentry. I called the section to "Stand to". While the men at rest were moving to take their posts, I rushed to the sentry to inquire.  Instantly the wireless silence was broken and the Battalion Headquarters were asking as to what had happened. 

The sentry had thrown a grenade outside, suspecting enemy due to some rattling noise of an empty milk tin attached to barbed wire fence. This he did without informing me which he should have done. I immediately fired a flare from a very light pistol which created sufficient light slowly coming down to ground. There was absolutely nothing visible and I reported to the Battalion Headquarters that it was a false alarm, only the sentry had panicked, there was no enemy around.  The battalion, rather the whole garrison, along with other outside pickets all having rehearsed "stand to" drill, went back to rest but I was worried for the "sweet raspberry" my piquet had earned.  At daybreak, I took out, half the section with me and going around the piquet barbed wire fence examined the entire surrounding ground. At the spot of grenade throw was lying a dead jackal.  The sentry was right in his deduction that something did cause rattle of the tin-device and he was also dead accurate in his grenade throw but he certainly did me great wrong in not informing me before his action.  All this happened because an instruction was disobeyed by the sepoy, either of my section or those of previous posts.  Some disobeying man had tossed out a bone at full force and the poor animal smelling it was trying to reach it crawling below the fence. I was saved from embarrassment when senior officers concluded that such incidents do take place and we should always learn lessons for future.  On return from that exciting duty, I was appointed Battalion Mortar Officer.  I  carried the barrel of the mortar on my back while other men of the detachment carried its other parts, during one of routine road protection operations.  Normally this heavy weapon is carried on mules.  My courage and initiative highly pleased Commanding Officer and I was now in good books.  Soon the battalion moved to Razmak, the largest cantonment in the tribal territory. I was in the advance party headed by Major A.M.VOHRA, later a Lt. General in Indian Army.

Life in Razmak was an interesting experience, full of rich events for my memory.  I shall narrate some important ones which should be of great interest for any adventure seeking youth and for old ones to recollect their own days.  Razmak garrison usually had four Infantry Battalions, an Artillery Regiment, an ASC regiment having mules and mechanical vehicles, a Signal Battalion and various others, making it a well represented and self sustained force.  The cantonment had a surrounding wall, almost 4 miles in length, made of stones and the top having barbed wire.  There were firing bays and sentry posts at short intervals facilitating manning the entire perimeter by soldiers at instant alert. Again outside the wall there was thick layer of concertina barbed wire.  At convenient intervals were constructed the high fortified piquets mentioned earlier. These acted as high observation posts, both for Commanders as well as others, such as artillery observers. It was strictly a men’s camp and no women ever visited.  The one British lady, most probably a privileged one, who visited this cantonment was honored by taking her foot prints on freshly laid cement platform at the Residency, the senior most political office.  This cantonment was in the heart of most turbulent of all tribal territories, the WAZIRISTAN. A mystic rebel leader who claimed himself as the torch bearer of  freedom movement against the "FARANGI" (the Foreigner) called "FAQIR OF IPPI" had his headquarters close by in another valley, nearer to Afghanistan border.  He was well protected against British ground operations and unless a major operation was conducted against him he was quite safe.  An account of one major operation against him has been given by Brigadier JOHN MASTERS in his book "Bugle and a Tiger". Razmak is at a distance of about 70 miles from Bannu a settled area cantonment and a base for Razmak as well as other smaller troops stations. Movements to and from Bannu were generally conducted weekly.  Entire length of road between Bannu (settled area cantonment and Razmak, main garrison in the heart of tribal territory), was protected from any interference by the tribesmen. It was ensured that hostile tribesmen were kept well away. Troops were highly trained  and efficient in this drill which was called "ROD"  (Road Opening Day), each Battalion trying to beat previous record of "Time Efficiency" in reporting the road "Clear".  The units stationed in such garrisons included GURKHAS from Nepal, SIKHS, MUSLIMS and HINDUS of various ethnic and linguistic denominations.  There always was healthy competition and each class within a Regiment (Unit), trying to prove its superiority over the others.  British Officers enjoyed this harmonious and disciplined competition while playing their full part as members of whatever Regiment they belonged to. They were full of Regimental spirit and they would go to any extent to uphold superiority or prestige of their Regiments.   

The mountain warfare or operations especially in the terrain such as that of the tribal territory, made the MULE  a very valuable animal. The British recognizing this fact had raised many animal transport battalions and to obtain high quality mules in very large numbers, they had created  "Stud Farms" in the fertile districts of Punjab.  As we should know, mule is a cross-breed between a Mare and a Donkey, therefore high breed mares were raised and a mule breeding centre was created at MONA in Sargodha District.  The mule breed of this farm was and is the best in the world.

This hardy friend of a soldier is sure-footed animal and would go almost anywhere a man can go, not requiring hand to climb.  It would carry heavy weapons such as mountain guns and ammunition, mortar batteries, stores and rations including water containers made of steel.   Rules and procedures created for maintenance and care of these animals were strictly observed.  You could get away, at times, with negligence or a wrong act in respect of administration of  your  men, but certainly not in case of this darling of  an animal. I was put through an attachment, with  the Animal Transport Platoon in the battalion, for 2 weeks duration.  This was accorded priority over many other professional cadres and courses.  The course included feeding, watering, massaging and grooming of the animal including cleaning of its hoofs.  In addition polishing and maintenance of its saddlery was a daily affair which included inspection by the officer concerned. Such a routine and loading/unloading procedures were according to laid down drills. Mule is an affectionate animal and it looks forward to friendliness and fondness, otherwise it has its own ways of protesting and at times it can be very rough. Once we had our Animal Transport (A.T.) Platoon out of the camp for purpose of replenishing  supplies at the piquets.  While moving through an open ground from where a track branched off, leading through the bed of a vast dry nullah going through the heart of tribal populated areas, one strong mule loaded with ammunition boxes, broke off and started running in the dangerous direction. The mule leader did his best, helped by others but the mule ran at full speed, in all directions. The attitude it displayed was of a captive set free from long captivity who would go crazy to run around in all directions to celebrate his freedom.  The mule forced us to deploy troops to block the route leading to tribesmen villages, a necessary but possibly a provocative move.

The experienced ones continued to express their views that if it was left alone, without chase, it would come back to its handler (mule leader).  Probably that was the best  course  open, so it was adopted (almost a surrender) when after a few free shoots, in different directions, the animal came back calmed down and joined his other colleagues with the mule leader patting it on  its head and neck and later on its groins.  The anxiety was for the possibility of loss of the trained animal and the ammunition made available to ever eager tribesmen as an involuntary gift. Some more interesting stories connected with this animal shall come in later chapters.

b. Partition of India Takes Place

Mortar Platoon equipped with 8 X 3" Mortars was an Infantry battalions own artillery.  Probably, no other fire support is as sure and effective as this one.  In tribal territory, this was the most mobile artillery support hence a lot of emphasis  was laid on the efficiency of Mortar platoon. Whereas, this is a most desired weapon, there is always a difficulty of feeding it with its ammunition.  It is fast firing weapon and consumes ammunition at a very rapid scale and the administration is always at a loss to keep the pace.  Mortar firing competitions, between various battalions were a regular feature. The Guides Mortar platoon established a new record of minimum time in which it moved forward 100 yards, mounted weapons ready for action and firing the first shot, hitting the target, all in 28 seconds. This was an improvement by a few seconds. In the middle of 1947, I was made Adjutant of the Battalion. This appointment carried with it the pride and the utter confidence of the Commanding Officer.  The Adjutant has to ensure that his battalion is always duly posted with information of every type at all events.  He takes decisions on behalf of the Commanding Officer in routine matters - just imagine the big responsibility that goes with it.   In fact he is responsible for all matters connected with training, operations, discipline, manpower, leaves and obedience of higher and regimental orders.  It was in June 1947 that plan for division of India into two countries i.e. HINDUSTAN and PAKISTAN was accepted and on 14th August 1947 the two new independent Dominions were to come into being. That meant that 50% of our troops i.e. Hindus and Sikhs would leave to form part of Indian Army, while we were to receive equal number of Muslim troops from those units which would form part of Indian Army.  The British officers were to return home, with conscripts being released.  Other officers started thinning out either to be released or to join their future units in Indian dominion.  Some officers of the future Indian Army were to leave along with their troops.

The process of move of Hindu/Sikh troops from this tribal territory became a difficult task because of the shameless and unprecedented Muslim killings by Hindus/Sikhs that ensued, especially in the province of PUNJAB. In fact Punjab was home of majority of Indian army personnel.  Large scale lootings, killings, arson and rapes of Muslim women by Hindus and Sikhs in the Eastern districts of   Punjab, which were to form a separate province of  India, resulted on large scale reaction against Hindus and Sikhs in the Western districts.  The orthodox Muslims of the tribal territory were very angry and they had threatened to react against the non-Muslim troops.  The  evacuation process was completed under an efficient plan (well spread out lasting about 2/3 months).  It was a strange situation in which old colleagues, who would fight shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy, were now living together under such disturbed mental conditions as would be natural for any one.  How could one expect them to remain as affectionate or friendly when there were killings and arson taking place merely on the grounds of Muslims seeking an independent sovereign state of theirs which was resisted and never accepted by the Hindu majority at heart. The British officers had tremendous job of maintaining peace among the soldiers living side by side under  such heavily charged atmosphere of hatred and suspicion.  The Indians and Pakistanis knew very well that we were going to be perpetual enemies and now when I am writing this, it is already 50 years and we are at the worst of relations on two accounts. Firstly, that the state of Kashmir, a vast majority Muslim state has been treacherously and fraudulently usurped by stronger and bigger India. It continues to defy all efforts of the United Nations and the dispute has reached a position of "No Return" on account of Indian obduracy. Secondly, because Hindus have not accepted  Pakistan at heart. However, the efficient and clever British diplomacy succeeded in evacuating such troops without any major mishap.

British efficiency and shrewdness would be illustrated through an incident. For safe withdrawal of non-Muslim elements of our Battalion it was arranged to isolate their living areas and then rehearse their move.  While doing so, the Muslim elements were deployed on ROD (Road Opening Day) duty every day and it was let be known that our non-Muslim elements would leave that day.  That was repeated on a number of occasions so as to deceive locals as actual date when they left was kept a well-guarded secret known only to senior British officers concerned. I wouldn’t be sure if the senior most non-Muslim officer was taken into confidence in this matter either.  We established our Battalion Headquarters on top of a commanding feature about 8-10 miles out of Razmak (ALEXANDRA FORT), during one such occasion I sensed that the "D" day had arrived. This I guessed from the fact that Battalion HQ had never been established that high and there was an additional battalion deployed in that very vulnerable area. The area of Alexandra Fort dominated the main road dropping height from about 6000 feet plateau to about 4000 feet and the road wound itself on one flank of the feature. In this area there were many spurs and high projecting positions which were ideal for laying of large scale ambushes. There was plenty of bush and ground cover available.  How the tribesmen deduced the same would be known only to them, but  they were there in large numbers and had taken up positions during the night. The Waziristan Area Commander also having come to establish his Tactical HQs, the things were almost witness to the long delayed "D" day.  Political Agents and their contact with tribal leaders having failed for the withdrawal of tribesmen, there came the great bombshell for me. The Battalion had been ordered to fire with our mortars on a central feature occupied by the tribesmen. I was now ordered by the Commanding Officer to conduct the shoot while he himself stood nearby, what a severe test of military discipline and loyalty. The Muslim men, women and children being massacred only because the majority Hindus did not accept freedom rights for Muslims and yet here I was asked to kill Muslim Tribesmen who were only retaliating for the sake of safety of their co-religionists.  They were not abducting and raping innocent women nor were they killing and maiming children as was being done by Hindus under the protection and active support of non-Muslim troops actually deployed in Punjab for maintaining peace.  These tribesmen were chivalrous to challenge regular army troops.  Disobedience of orders is unpardonable offense from any reckoning.  So, I, while taking the shoot, raised the range (distance) by at least 800 yards, by show of my hands from my back, to the NCO in charge of the mortar detachment, Havildar MIR AFZAL. This hand signal was not seen by the Commanding Officer who only heard the range given by men orally through the word of mouth. Havildar MIR AFZAL getting the spirit, ensured that the first "salvo" landed much beyond the target.  The Commanding Officer was furious and I also joined him in admonishing the men.  The next shells landed much short of the top of the hill and then we could observe through binoculars that the tribesmen had started withdrawing much to our relief.  The NCO made the excuse that the "Base Plates" of the Mortars had slipped because of stony nature of ground (untenable excuse though). The situation pleased all of us except the Commanding Officer who stopped talking to me till our return to Razmak.  The Commanding Officer asked me to accompany him to the Officers Mess. After ordering some drink for himself and soft drink for me, he said "Young man I like you - I don’t know what I would have done if I were in your position". I thanked him and could only say that the man should do right thing and trust in God.

Before our non-Muslims left, an arrangement was made for a hockey match between "INDIA" and "PAKISTAN". Both teams being constituted from our Battalion. Guides hockey team was a good one and high ranking in our PIFFER (Punjab Irregular Frontier Force Regiment) family. We were three Muslims among the first eleven while the eight others were non-Muslims. The pivot of the combined team and also the Team Captain was Captain MUHAMMAD IQBAL KHAN (later General and Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff Committee Pakistan)  who played as "Center Half". Naik GHULAM MUHAMMAD  (later Honorary Captain) played as "Inside Right" while I played as "Outside Left" or "Left Winger". The whole garrison watched the match and due to our high spirit we won the match for Pakistan.

c. IPPI-s Solitary Gun - Solitary Kite of Air OP

We were playing routine afternoon Hockey in a field outside the perimeter wall when shelling by the only gun possessed by the Faqir of IPPI started.  We had deployed protection troops against possible assault by the tribesmen but this was the first time we were under the shelling. We did not know how much and how accurate it would be, nor we knew if it was an isolated shelling affair or would it be having any connected ground operations.  First shell fell well short of us and we called off the game and in accordance with the drill every one ran to pick up arms or to report to his place of duty. I being Adjutant of the battalion located in North Camp, was required to take up immediate position on top of a Piquet where wireless and Telephone Communication with our Medium Guns and other HQs were activated. It was my responsibility to take the first shoot (retaliatory) before being relieved by the Artillery officers. IPPI-s gun, when firing its fourth shot was located and our gun drill proceeded. IPPI-s second shot landed well plus of the entire cantonment, while the third one hit south camp which put one hay stack to fire and the fourth shot was an accurate hit on the Artillery Officers Mess. It hit the roof of an officer-s room, who was not in, so only suffered a loss of some damaged articles. Our first retaliatory shot and IPPI-s gun was silent. Not that it was destroyed but because it had done its job and was quickly shifted to its safe cave behind the crest.  This was learnt later through the sources of information of the Political Agent. Flight Lieutenant ASHRAF took off his small reconnaissance plane and flew over the area but he could find no traces of IPPI-s gun. The solitary gun, God knows of what make and of which century caused us to "stand to" and the whole garrison practiced the drills, besides our losses were, one Hay Stack burnt, one officer-s room damaged. We were amused greatly when we heard that, that gun had no "Sights" and  worked with a system of elevation and depression given to gun-barrel. If that was the case, then we Non-Gunner officers told our gunners that IPPI-s artillery men were certainly more accurate. They had maintained an errorless alignment and by using bracketing method how very accurate they were.

Flight Lieutenant Ashraf and I were friends. I was keen to learn about the surrounding area because of my professional interest.  Ashraf, on the other hand was a keen young pilot who also desired to fly over the surroundings as much as he could.  He had permission to conduct flying practices. On one Sunday (holiday) when I visited him he asked me if I was keen to take a ride. Nothing could please me more and soon we were airborne. For some reason, most  probably to test my nerve, he started playing tricks with the "KITE".  That did not bother me. Then he took the plane to greater height and while it was rising higher, it was also wheeling and the pilot tried to demonstrate his casualness. He then brought the plane to almost treetops height and tried to land on the straight stretch of metalled road.  Here I told him that it was not safe and if any tribesman should decide to point his gun at the plane and ask us to surrender, what should be our safety margin.  We could well be considered a God sent gift for him to exchange for big ransom. It was their territory and they roamed about everywhere either grazing sheep or for firewood gathering routines.  He realized his mistake and immediately lifted the KITE high up.

On coming back to the Artillery Officers Mess, we were both required to see our respective Commanding Officers.  My Commanding Officer asked me as to how I did such a silly thing to go out flying, without permission.

The Faqir of IPPI was well known to offer protection to fugitives from British India. Some criminals would escape and desert to find refuge with Faqir.  One such deserter was FAQIR MUHAMMAD, the Sepoy, who was charge-sheeted for some crime but ran away. He was from PUNJAB and was commonly known as "Faqira Punjabi". In order to justify his existence with his host, he often conducted sniping against our troops. On one occasion we were on ROD (Road Opening Day) which took us farther away from usual objectives to an abandoned garrison post called RAZANI, which was located about 2-3 miles further away from Alexandra Fort and was below that dominating feature, more or less in the bed of a deep and wide stony waste. The stone and mud walls of this, once a garrison camp, had fallen for most part but some remains continued to stand and this provided an ideal place for setting our temporary battalion HQs. While I was busy in communicating  with various sub units, the Mess NCO had established himself in a depression for preparing the breakfast. There came a long burst from an LMG (Light Machine Gun) with our Commanding Officer and the HQ as target.  It was Faqira Punjabi who had chosen a good position for himself against our retaliatory fire and even any pincer movement in case we decided to attack him. But he was too far away for his LMG to cause any damage. His bullets landed short of us and much scattered.  Safe from initial burst of fire we moved to safer places and our mortars ensured that Faqira was on the run for his life. Our  LMGs sprayed the area of his position with continuous fire. We later heard that he did suffer some casualties.

If ever we enjoyed  anything during these ROD operations, it was the breakfast. Surely after good walk and run of about 8-10 miles in the morning we did deserve a good  meal.  Once we were established on ground, there was nothing for us to do except to wait and watch the logistics convoys pass through undisturbed and safely.  The breakfast usually included corn-flakes with milk or porridge food, eggs to order with additional item either kidney/liver or brain cutlets and fresh potato chips. In addition toast or bread with jam or jelly or marmalade.  Cooking was done on oil cookers.  Eggs to order meant two eggs per head with great variety of preparation. Some of these varieties included, boiled, half-boiled, quarter-boiled, fried, half-fried, omelette simple or with onion/tomato, crambled eggs etc.  This choice of variety was taken full advantage of and we really relished this breakfast. I often recall such fine picnics to my family and now my grandchildren insist on our such outings on Islamabad Hills or any place where there is water stream and natural rough country.  Because of such fascinating outings, my Doctor son, SHEHZAD SARWAR has turned out to be a hiker/mountaineer.  He is member of various clubs which indulge in such activities and he maintains full camping and other necessary equipment.  While a mention of Razmak  is always made, I think of old days and my colleagues, senior and juniors who may be alive or may have played their innings.

d. Operation Curzon - Withdrawal of Troops From Tribal Territory

The Partition of India into two independent and sovereign states of Pakistan and India having taken place, the Non-Muslim troops evacuated to India, the Pakistan Government saw no reason to station troops in this territory.  Now we were all Muslims, ethnically, historically and socially the same and with Farangi (Foreigner) having gone there was no hostility left. In fact hostile India had created another hostile front by fraudulent accession to it of KASHMIR. Towards the end of December 1947 we evacuated tribal territory including Razmak, handing over its security to Civil Armed Forces. As we marched out of Razmak on our way down to Bannu, a distance of about 70 miles, the smaller garrisons on the way kept joining the main column.  At places the tribesmen tried to block our passage and carried out long-range firing but it was mostly out of a demonstration than objective. We reached outskirts of Bannu on the last day of December and the long phase of Frontier Warfare created by the British, passed on to Pakistan, ended for ever.

British stay in the North West Frontier region including the tribal territory, as well as their wars and campaigns in Afghanistan has been amply recorded up to minutest of details in many books, pamphlets and photographic albums. Such records are available in the officers mess libraries, of old regiments including Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Scouts.  Also the Staff College and various club libraries have such books, scouts  officer-s messes have some rare paintings - an invaluable heritage.

e. British Loyalty and Dedication

The British Imperial policies as executed of British administrators were no doubt matchless and these do not require elaboration here.  However, the British soldiery needs to be given greater consideration. British soldiery did not receive  proper attention after the World War I. Where as, the Axis powers prepared their war  machine and soldiery with new techniques and doctrine, the British soldiers were found inadequately trained and equipped at the outset of World War II in 1939. British Expeditionary Force in mainland Europe was completely crushed by the German onslaught and having abandoned all arms and equipment soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk and other coastal areas in torn clothes and were in the lowest state of morale. In Africa, German Field Marshal ROMMEL drew  more respect from their enemy due to successes against the British Force and the Middle East was under great threat. On top of that while British were left totally alone, Japanese offensive in South East Asia resulted in British, French and Dutch Armies of the East surrendering   entirely. But the great British people under dynamic leadership of Winston CHURCHILL, stood  determined, at all levels to regain initiative from the Axis.  A great effort in Psychological  Warfare was made starting with CHURCHILL showing with two fingers of hand ÔV- for victory. So much so that here in Indian subcontinent  we had a popular slogan "Qadam Barhta hai German ka-Fatah hoti hai Inglistan Ki" mean that "Every step forward  of Germans is victory of England".

Senior British generals including FM WAVEL, FM AUCHINLECK, FM ALEXANDER, FM MONTGOMERY and Field Marshal SLIM and many others although not extraordinary in performance but remained dedicated and determined and proved their mettle. Similarly the British lower ranks fought courageously under all type of circumstances and nowhere they were wanting in courage and bravery and they died in thousands as we called "with their boots on".  Their chivalrous deeds and acts fill volumes. At the same time those British civilians, men and women, who were in support of war effort were equally competent and courageous. My personal experience with British officers of lower ranks viz Lieutenant Colonel and below is full of admiration for them.  They were extremely loyal to their country and Sovereign.  They were dedicated to their profession and took pains with responsibility to train themselves and then through hard work they benefited their outfits.

Those serving in the late British Indian Army and also other colonial armies such as Burmese, Malayan etc had tough life in as much as they could not and did not visit homes for years at a stretch. It would be fair to say that a Second Lieutenant spent all his youthful life in British colonies, away from home and returned only after retirement as  a Major or a Lieutenant Colonel. It was primarily due to this factor that British Officers considered their regiments as their families and officers messes as their homes.  Officers mess provided a comfortable and disciplined home where all relaxed from official distances of rank. Of course limits of distances were always maintained between senior and junior, elderly and young. The mess was considered a nursery for junior officer to learn manners, etiquette, regimental history, and gain other knowledge from mess library books as well as guidance from senior officers experience.

Unfortunately that institution is no more in Asiatian armies and now the officers  mess are at best restaurants without adequate discipline.

An experience which I have never forgotten and I would like to give below. At RAZMAK my considerate company commander Major DD Slattery took responsibility to teach and train me for greater responsibilities and I had a table and a chair in his office room. One morning while I was working at my table, the company commander left his table and went out. Soon another British Major (a senior one) walked in, I stood up wished him only to be asked whereabouts of my company commander.  I could only tell him that he had left his table without his cap and cane stick, a few minutes earlier. The visitor was rather rough and unkind to call me "Stupid", you even do not know whereabouts of your company commander. I sat-down in my chair to resume work neglecting him and displaying annoyance. Maj Slattery returned, worked on his table for some hours and then abruptly he asked me to close the work and said "let us go to the mess". There was still about an hour of official time left. At the mess, right at the entrance door I saw the Major who had visited our office. He was all smiles and coming closer to me he took my hand for "handshake" and said that he was very very sorry for his uncalled for behaviour towards me and apologised,  my company commander standing nearby was smiling. The Major asked me for a drink and while I had a "Lemonade", they asked for "Beer". All was forgotten and forgiven.

British officers learnt as much as they could about the countries, their people with different ethnic and linguistic groups, their religious affiliations and habits and then they wrote books for benefit of others.  They were fair judges of men and officers below them and they took pains to train them. They planned service careers of their subordinates. During my studies, I was highly impressed with brilliant works and achievements of British subalterns and Junior officers of old days such as Mc- Mohan who demarcated the Himalayan border, Durand doing the same for North West of India , EVEREST surveying the highest mountain and Lieutenant later Lt Gen Sir HARRY LUMSDON who raised Queen Victorias- Own Corps of Guides at MARDAN (NWFP) in 1846.  This was a Regiment of its own kind having two wings one each of Infantry and Cavalry under one Command. He was Commissioned under Royal authority of Her Majesty Queen VICTORIA. It was such people and also the senior ones such as JACOB of Sindh, NICHOLSON of Punjab and FM KITCHNER who accounted for British glory. Can anyone, today, match their sense of responsibility, dedication and efficiency?  Some of these may have worked during previous century but marks left behind by these officers reflected greatly on the events and affairs of Asia   during Twentieth Century. Britain is and must be proud of their sons.