'Precautions on the way back', North West Frontier, India, 1937

Photograph, North West Frontier, India, 1937.

An Indian Army soldier with a Vickers Berthier machine gun in the cab of a North Western State Railways railway locomotive.

The North Western State Railway was formed in 1886 from the amalgamation of several railway companies and remained in operation until Indian independence in 1947. The construction of railways was integral to the British strategy to establish and maintain security in the border region between Afghanistan and British India.

In late 1936 there was growing agitation against British rule in Waziristan, led by the Waziri leader Ghazi Mirzali Khan Wazir, 'the Fakir of Ipi'. In response the British launched a military operation into the Khaisora Valley, hoping that a show of strength alone would suffice to reduce unrest. However, the two main columns of troops met stiff resistance and their supply lines were disrupted, forcing them to retire. The operation's failure triggered a wider insurrection and the ensuing guerrilla war drew in more British and Indian forces. Over 30,000 troops, together with aircraft and armoured cars, were deployed to the region. Violence subsided in late 1937 and after brief flare-ups in 1938 and 1939 the North West Frontier was relatively quiet until India became independent in 1947.

From an album of 347 photographs compiled by Captain (later Major) Wynne Howes-Roberts, 1st Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles, India and UK, 1936-1937.