North-West Frontier Theatre of WWI
1914–17 operations in British India
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Through World War I, Afghanistan and Indian Independence Act 1947
Background
In support of the British war effort, the Indian Army deployed expeditionary forces to the Western Front, East Africa, Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Sinai and Palestine. India was thus vulnerable to hostile attention from Afghanistan. A Turco-German mission arrived in Kabul in October 1915 with obvious strategic purpose. However, Amir Habibulla abided by his treaty obligations and maintained Afghanistan's neutrality, in the face of internal opposition from factions keen to side with the Ottoman Sultan. Hostilities on the frontier remained local.
Many operations occurred in the North-West Frontier Province through the late 1800s and all the way up to Indian Independence in 1947. Some of these occurred during WWI being carried out by tribes loyal to the Ottomans. These forces fought on and off from the time of the Ottoman entry into the war all the way until the summer of 1917.
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Operations
Operations in the Tochi
There were two raids conducted by Kochi tribesman, They were later both suppressed by a single British brigade In March 1915.
Operations against the Mohmands, Bunerwals and Swatis in 1915
Were a group of raids led by pro-ottoman tribesman, they was later suppressed in September 1915.
Kalat Operations (1915-16)
Mohmand blockade
Was a blockade done on Mohmand tribesman following their declaration of Jihad. It was lifted following their suppression in 1917.
Operations against the Mahsuds (1917)
A series of engagements in early 1917. A peace agreement was reached on 10 August 1917 with a Mahsud jirga.
Operations against the Marri and Khetran tribes (1918)
Central Powers involvement
The Provisional Government of India and Germany smuggled weapons through Afghanistan. The Ottomans also supported the rebellion by declaring jihad.
Aftermath
Following the ending of the North-West Frontier Campaign many more similar instances of rebellion continued until Indian independence.