Battle of Hurmaz Kaar pa kawalo kegi.
(You cannot do anything by doing nothing).
For the prologue see following link:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131610.525 
The day could be decisive for British ability to defend Mir Ali Mirali and provide a strategic further thread on Bannu itself
Gunny’s face whitens while detecting the dusty clouds which anticipate the tribesmen arrival and starts giving nervously instructions to his artillerymen. Will his nerves allow him not routing, while his brain fights with their order to run away as quickly as possible to survive the day…?
At the start Taras and 3 sons of his jump like tigers, only Wali Khan remains in the background. Gunny with trembling lips cries an unintelligible order that his subedar translate in “fire” and Abdul Ghaffar gets his first KIA and is pinned, but quickly rallies. Taras’ tribesmen are well covered by rocky terrain, not so for Wali Khan who runs in advance but is pinned by Gunny and Sikhs fire and then suddenly routs jeopardizing his father’s project.
The Waziri remained units try to close: Sikhs fire pins alternatively Abdul Ghaffar and Habibullah, Taras is stopped by Baluchis’fire and only Muhammad Alì can close on the latter storming the defensive sargar, but Rosston succeed in rallying and answer with a devasting fire which pins the waziris, which then retreat.
Taras khan attack the baluchis which defeated retreat again
and then Taras last survivors turn on the artillerymen butchering, without receiving any kia, all Kohat but Gunny who retreats without losing his control. He was absolutely useless without firing , but not a paranoic deserter, as he was described by his “friends” in Bannu clubs.
At this point the ever winning Taras’tribesmen are hit by Sikhs’devasting fire and also the ancient Khan lies dead within his last warriors.
The other sons, all pinned and in retreat, without the morale booster provided by their father, retreated to discuss “friendly” with Wali Khan his behaviour, that jeopardized the victory and eventually caused their father’s life.
Gunny can send a message that now the situation is safe, and Fullerton can think to prepare a solid answer to Abu Zar’s Afridis, northwards.
Lester’s Sikhs decided the day, Rosston was badly mauled but was ultimately saved by Waziris’ retreat.
The battle statistics show 8 Baluchi and 3 artillerymen KIA vs Taras Khan and other 41 tribesmen.
For Gunny it is true the old Pashto proverb: Kaar pa kawalo kegi (You cannot do anything by doing nothing). Fullerton will boost his own merit writing to Davenport that Lester winning behaviour was dictated by strictly applying his detailed orders…
But in the mean time many miles Eastwards, on the road connecting Bannu and Mir Ali Mirali, Major Vousden is in secret discussion with Political officer colonel John Nicholson.
And Nicholson continues riding towards Mir Ali Mirali with an important gift for Fully: reinforcements, just arrived from Peshawar, will arrive soon through Bannu to refuel the depleted forces and restart the fights towards Spinwam.
Now Fullerton can focus on Abu Zar, a new unit of Bombay Grenadiers is almost painted and will be completed…not a minute too early! …and a 15th Ludhiana Sikh unit is WIP too…and last but not least a Gordon Highlanders unit is going to arrive to join Fully and his guides cavalry. Captain Charles Frederick Watson Hughes of the 15th Ludhiana has been portrayed giving last instructions to his Gordon unit. Though days are coming for unaware Abu Zar’s Afridis and Mullah Powinda’s rebels!
25 April 2011, 08:17:58 PM
