Sir James Wilicocks's force operating against the Zakkas- " khel,"
which is often mistakenly added as though it were part of the name of the tribe, only means, by the way, clan or tribe—has been continually subjected to sniping. On February 15th there was some night-firing, during which the Seaforth pickets wounded Dadai, the leader in the recent raids, besides killing three and wounding seven of the enemy. On February 19th General Willcocks, accompanied by a mixed column under Major-General Barrett, destroyed the fortified towers of China. While returning to camp the force was persistently attacked. Second Lieutenant I. C. Mac- fadyen, attached to the Seaforth Highlanders, was dangerously wounded and died later; Lieutenant J. R King and Lieutenant P. A. F. W. a Beckett were wounded slightly ; and two men were wounded severely and two slightly.. Asa result, of the operations so far, General Willcocks is said to have complete command of the Bazar Valley. On the 15th and 16th the Zakkas lost eight killed and seventeen wounded ; among the dead were Shinas, the notorious raider, and Umr Bin Khusrogi, the well-known leader. The Zakkas are fighting in the usual Pathan manner, but are said to be better armed than in 1897. The Calcutta correspondent of the Times says, however, that ammunition for the Martini rifles, which most of them use, is very scarce. The strength of the expedi- tionary force is 2,008 British and 8,622 native troops.
