Razmak - North Waziristan

Publishing Date: Friday, April 1 2005

The altitude of Razmak varies from 6000 feet to 11000 feet. The Razmak Plateau itself is located amid the rugged, lofty mountains and is connected with two roads, one with Tank via Jandola (now not much used) and the other with Bannu through Mirali and Isha corner, which is 65 kilometers long arduous pattern less jumble of arid mountain, ravines and knife edge ridges. Shoran Algad three kilometers in the South from Razmak is the boundary between North and South Waziristan. November to March are the winter months while the remainder of the year spell out the well-known pleasantness of summer. Climate at Ghariam is colder while it is somewhat warmer at Dosali perhaps due to lower altitude. Similarly from Gardai onward, one gradually feel, the difference in temperature. Animal Transport Dunken post and beyond, coldness in weather is distinctly felt upto Razmak. Alexandra Fort remains snow capped during winter.

It rains almost every third day at Razmak. Usually the clouds mask the sky in the afternoon. Rain gently pours one-moment and finishes the next. All evenings are pleasant and clear. It rains from July to September during summer and from March to May in spring 49. A regular annual feature of Razmak is the snowfall from December to February. Ordinarily it commences in the month of January but not always. The first snowfall is normally from mid February. The snowfalls for a day only, the crust of which remains for days. The road in the vicinity of Dunken post is ordinarily blocked but seldom hinders movement due to the kind courtesy of civil administration. The population of Razmak Sub Division mainly comprises of the Wazir tribe. The sub tribes of Tori Khel and Bora Khel live in Razmak TehsiI, where as Wazi Khel live in Dosali Tehsil. Tori Khels are also in majority in Ghariam Tehsil.

Historical Significance

Importance to British:

There were many political, operational and administrative reasons for occupation of Razmak as the army was then spread all over Waziristan. The Divisional headquarters being at D.I Khan, and main supply bases at Kohat, Bannu and Manzai and as it was not easy to control the entire area effectively form one base. The need was felt to divide and entrust the area to different commanders for easy and smooth administrative and operational reasons. Razmak was strategic place which could rightly further the political policy of controlling the erstwhile tribes of both Wazirs and Mahsuds on both sides of shora Algad (Wazir-Mahsud boundary). The idea was to ensure immediate and smooth supply of arms, ammunitions and mobilisation to any threatened area in North or South Waziristan. Razmak lies on a plateau 6600 feet above the sea level due to which weather remains pleasant round the year except two months of winter. Besides the above, communication infrastructure was also developed initially from Dera Ismail Khan to Wana via Tank and Kohat to Miranshah via Spinwam and later extended to Bannu. The communication infrastructure also suggested division of Command. Due to aforementioned, the plan for occupation of Razmak plateau and the maintenance of strong garrison were as such formulated at the commencement of 1922.

Occupation of Razmak:

Razmak being the very heart of Waziristan, is strategically placed for control of both Wazir and Mahsud tribes, therefore it was imperative to occupy it. The salient features of the scheme were as follows:

The completion of the metalled road for use by motor transport (MT) form the Tochi road, near Idak via Razmak Narai, Piazha and Sararogha and Jandola.
The improvement of road in administrative territory from Darband to Ghazni Khel to make it fit for motor transport.
The location of force at Tochi and Razmak permanently and the abandonment of Ladha. Ladha was occupied by South Waziristan Scouts, when army was in occupation of Razmak, till partition i.e. 1947.

Pacifying the Area:

The introduction of above scheme in uncontrollable area of North Waziristan was not less than a miracle. It was at the same time not a bed of roses for the British to include Waziristan in their domain. Operation by the British in Khaisura, Boya and Data Khel were mounted against Tori Khel with the help of heavy artillery and air action involving heavy casualties and considerable material loss. It is said that with the money spent in Waziristan, a three-inch thick layer of silver could be laid on all the roads in the area.

Work on the road upto Razmak commenced on July 11, 1922. The progress was slow initially, however, the road was completed upto Damdil by December 13, 1922. The 5th Infantry Brigade (the leading brigade) moved forward on December 31, 1922 and occupied permanent picuqets as far as Tamra Oba. Meanwhile another brigade 7th Infantry Brigade concentrated at another Aza Khal, On 4th January 1923, the advance continued to Razani. Upto this time no opposition had been met except for the murder of Lieutenant Dickson who was killed on 12 December 1922 near Tamra Oba.

The Razmak force was now faced with the task of advancing over the Razmak-Narai and establishing itself on the Razmak plateau. There were many natural difficulties in surmounting the formidable pass overlooked as it was by commanding and mountainous ridges covered with thick shrub. Track upto the Narai, over which the transport of 1500 camels and 1100 mules would have to pass was narrow and had a steep gradient. If held by difficult one for the troops to accomplish.

The 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles, who were given the task of securing and picquetting permanently. Alexandra Ridge on 10 January 1922, met a Mahsud gang who opposed the advance. The opposition was not stubborn but as the Gurkhas advanced the tribesmen tried to work around their flanks. This move was countered by the fire of light machine guns which was effective and the enemy retired. The 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles lost 2 men killed and the enemy killed 4 (including the leader of the gang) in this action. At the same time picquets were established without interference on the Razmak Narai itself and on the heights overlooking the Kupiri Algad from the West. Thus the entire route to the Narai was secured.

Thereafter 7 Infantry Brigade was to undertake advance upto Razmak immediately but the delay occurred due to bad track leading upto Narai. The track was improved and the advance to Razmak was resumed on 23 January. Thick snow was falling and yhe visibility was limited at 20 years and fortunately under circumstances the opposition was light which was brushed aside, with the loss of one man wounded and the brigade was able to camp on the Razmak plateau that night

The aim of the army was thus finally achieved at the cost of many casualties and tremendous cost. One can notice two small cemeteries of the British warriors on the backside of Razmak Sarai and Grid Station which provide sufficient proof of skirmishes and encounters which took place between the British forces and locals.