1 MAY 2004, Page 29

Death of a Fakir

From Paul Johnson Sir: In a recent article (And another thing, 17 April) I raised the question, 'What happened to the notorious Fakir of Ipi?' One of your readers, late of the South Warzistan Scouts, tells me that the Fakir, whose real name was Mirza Ali Khan Haji, spent his last years in a cave at Gonveckt, near the Durand Line. and died there in 1960. Another reader remembers that the Fakir constructed a small cannon 'which he trundled around on camels, shooting up our encampments by night'. Plus cc change!

Paul Johnson

London W2