An outstanding Inter-War 'Loe-Agra Operations' I.D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Naik Farma...

An outstanding Inter-War ‘Loe-Agra Operations’ I.D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Naik Farman Ali, 2nd Punjab Regiment, for his gallant conduct during an epic defence of Kila Hari Post, 5-6 April 1935, when a small detachment of his unit was besieged by an unexpected and well organised tribal lashkar of 1,000 Shamozais tribesmen, which threatened to overwhelm the defenders in a series of fiercely contested hand-to-hand attacks that involved revolvers, bayonets, stones and knives over a prolonged and sustained ten hour period Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (L-Nk. Farman Ali, 3-2 Punjab R.) with integral top silver ribbon bar; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935, with M.I.D. oak leaves (7466 L-Nk. Farman Ali, 3-2 Punjab R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46, unnamed as issued to Indian personnel, good very fine and scarce (7) £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2017. I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 480 of 1935. Approximately 98 I.D.S.Ms of this type are believed to have been awarded. M.I.D. G.G.O. 166 of 1936: ‘for gallant and distinguished services during the Loe-Agra Operations between 23 February to 13 April 1935.’ Farman Ali served with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment during the operations against the Upper Mohmands during 1933, and was also present during the Loe-Agra Operations in the North-West Frontier Province, which lasted from 23 February to 13 April 1935, services for which he was awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal, one of five such awards given for this campaign. The action in which Farman Ali was decorated has been described as ‘one of the most ferocious and sustained attacks that was ever inflicted by tribesmen in the history of the North-West Frontier. The night defence of Kila Hari post in the Loe-Agra operations of the Nowshera Brigade in April 1935 by a party of the 72nd Punjabis is an epic. A small detachment was attacked by an unexpectedly well-led tribal lashkar of 1,000 Shamozais. They were almost overwhelmed in the hand-to-hand fighting which involved revolvers, bayonets, stones and knives and lasted an incredible ten hours. No significant opposition had been met during the advance to Loe-Agra, and there was no evidence of any substantial lashkars in the area. Nevertheless it was determined that a strong picquet should be left on the heights dominating Loe-Agra known as Kila Hari. This piquet consisted of one rifle company and a machine gun platoon drawn from the 3/2nd Punjabis. An intelligence report was received during the afternoon of 5 April that a large enemy lashkar had been sighted and was intending to launch an attack on Kila Hari Post from the east. This report was considered unreliable and not given credence. The unexpected attack began about 7:30 p.m., when Shamozai swordsmen attempted to rush the machine-gun post. This resulted in severe hand to hand fighting, but the tribesmen’s attack, although pressed home with considerable ferocity was beaten back. The enemy made further assaults at about 15 minute intervals until midnight, but all were repulsed. At about 9:30 p.m. the lower post on the ridge was heavily attacked, followed by other attacks against other posts which were also beaten off. The tribesmen surrounded the position and kept it under constant fire until just before dawn, when they withdrew. It was then confirmed that during this night attack 28 tribesmen had been killed, and almost certainly a far larger number wounded.