This Day in History: 1902-01-01

In intense cold and at an altitude of 1500m the 1st Battalion, as part of Colonel Tonnochy’s column, departed Datta Khel in the Tochi Valley to carry out a punitive raid against Mahsud tribesmen. The orders were to ‘raid all cattle and burn all villages‘. Although the enemy had vacated their villages they continued to harass the Column, inflicting a few casualties as their towers were burnt and villages destroyed. By 10 January 1902 the Column had been broken up, its mission accomplished. The 1st Battalion deployed to Miranshah where it remained until 14 March 1902 when it returned to Dehra Dun.