Editing Mohmand campaign of 1897–1898 (section)

==Campaign==
The Malakand Field Force commanded by Major-General [[Sir Bindon Blood]] was assembled at [[Nowshera, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa|Nowshera]]. The post at Malakand was reached on 1 August, and on the following day Chakdara was relieved. The punishment of the Afridis was deferred till the preparations for the [[Tirah campaign]] could be completed. The Mohmands, however, could be immediately dealt with, and against them the two brigades of Sir Bindon Blood's division advanced from Malakand simultaneously with the movement of another division under Major-General [[Edmond Elles]] from Peshawar; it was intended that the two columns should effect a junction in [[Bajour]].<ref name=EB1911/>

About 6 September the two forces advanced, and Major-General Blood reached Nawagai on 14 September, having detached a brigade to cross the [[Rambat Pass]]. This brigade being sharply attacked in camp at Markhanai at the foot of the pass on the night of the 14th, was ordered to turn northwards and punish the tribesmen of the Mamund valley. On the 15th [[Brigadier-General]] (afterwards [[Major-General]]) Jeffreys camped at [[Inayat Killa]], and on the following day he moved up the Mamund valley in three columns, which met with strong resistance. A retirement was ordered, the tribesmen following, and when darkness fell the general, with a battery and a small escort, was cut off, and with difficulty defended some buildings until relieved. The casualties in this action numbered 149. This partial reverse placed General Blood in a position of some difficulty. He determined, however, to remain at Nawagai, awaiting the arrival of General Elles, and sent orders to General Jeffreys to prosecute the operations in the Mamund valley.<ref name=EB1911/>

From 18 to 23 September these operations were carried on successfully, several villages being burned, and the Mamunds were disheartened. Meanwhile, the camp at Nawagai was heavily attacked on the night of the 20th by about 4,000 men belonging to the Hadda Mullah's following. The attack was repulsed with loss, and on the 21st Generals Blood and Elles met at [[Lakarai]]. The junction having been effected, the latter, in accordance with the scheme, advanced to deal with the Upper Mohmands in the [[Jarobi]] and [[Koda Khel]] valleys, and they were soon brought to reason by his well-conducted operations. The work of the Peshawar division was now accomplished, and it returned to take part in the [[Tirah campaign]]. Its total casualties were about 30 killed and wounded.<ref name=EB1911/>

On the 22nd General Blood joined General Jeffreys, and on the 24th he started with his staff for [[Panjkora]]. On the 27th General Jeffreys resumed punitive operations in the Mamund valley, destroying numerous villages. On the 30th he encountered strong opposition at Agrah, and had 61 casualties. On 2 October General Blood arrived at Inayat Killa with reinforcements, and on the 5th the Mamunds tendered their submission. The total British loss in the Mamund valley was 282 out of a force which never exceeded 1,200 men. After marching into [[Buner Valley|Buner]], and revisiting the scenes of the [[Umbeyla campaign]] of 1863, the Malakand field-force was broken up on the 21st of January. The objects of the expedition were completely attained, in spite of the great natural difficulties of the country. The employment of imperial service troops with the Peshawar column marked a new departure in frontier campaigns.<ref name=EB1911/>