Its ordinary garrison
consists of about fifty Border Police. It is strongly built, and is
intended to attract the attention and delay the advance of a raiding-
party, until the Peshawar garrison has had time to take the field. Both
of these objects it admirably fulfilled in this case.
As soon as the news of the incursion of the Mohmands was received in
Peshawar, a flying column was mobilised and proceeded under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel J.B. Woon, 20th Punjaub Infantry, in the direction of
the fort. At dawn on the 9th of August they found the tribesmen in force
in a strong position near Shabdakr. The force at Colonel Woon's disposal
was small. It consisted of:--
4 Guns 51st Field Battery.
2 squadrons 13th Bengal Lancers . . . . . 151 lances.
2 Companies Somersetshire Light Infantry . . 186 rifles.
20th Punjaub Infantry . . . . . . 400 "
A total of about 750 men. The enemy numbered 6000. Nevertheless it was
decided to attack at once.
As the action which followed is but remotely connected with the fortunes
of the Malakand Field Force, I do not intend to describe it in detail.
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