Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Loe-Agra operaitions 1935’ I.D.S.M. pair awarded to Havildar Mohammed Khan, 3-2 Punjab Regiment, for the epic defence of Kila Hari Post

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Hav. Mohd. Khan, 3-2 Punjab R.) lacking top suspension brooch; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (2628 Hav. Mohd. Khan, 3-2 Punjab R.) good very fine (2) £1400-1800

I.D.S.M. GGO 480 of 1935.

M.I.D. GGO 166 of 1936.

Havildar Mohammed Khan 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’ and became known in the battalion’s annals as the ‘Defence of Kila Hari’ when they won four I.O.M’s and four I.D.S.M’s. The night defence of Kila Hari post in the Loe-Agra operations of the Nowshera Brigade in April 1935 by a party of the 3/2nd 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.

In addition to the award of the I.D.S.M., Havildar Mohammed Khan was also mentioned in despatches ‘for gallant and distinguished services during the Loe-Agra Operations between 23 February to 13 April 1935.’

Approximately 98 I.D.S.Ms of this type are believed to have been awarded.