‘Military report on Persia Volume I 1930’ [‎16r] (36/154)

19
of ... Campaign in Persian Baluchistan—Owing to Dost
he Muhammad Khan of Bampur’s refusal to recognise the
he authority of the Shah and the Central Government and to
;ed remit revenue to Tehran, the Persian Government decided
an to send a , n expeditionary force in Persian Baluchistan to
rst occupy the province. The Persian Government were,
e( l however, anxious to ensure that the Government of India
p t S°i i . remam neutral and prevent the tribes of British
a Baluchistan assisting Dost Muhammad. The Government
| e ° j India assured the Persian Government that it would
se ll P an attitude^ of benevolent neutrality and as in
er earnest of this supplied the Persian troops of the Eastern
,, Province with a number of rifles which had asked for by
the Persian Government.
„ . Amanullah Mirza, the Commander of the Eastern Divi-
sion, was given command of the forces against Dost
Muhammad Khan. In October 1928, the Seistan Brigade
about 800 strong was concentrated at Rahmatabad Rigan
and a column of about 600 men at Kerman. One Cavalry
Regiment, one Battalion of Infantry, a Mountain Battery
and a section of Field Artillery from Meshed were concen
trated at Duzdap. The total strength of the forces to
oppose Dost Muhammad Khan was approximately 3,000
men, with 2 aeroplanes from Tehran.
On the 28th October, the Seistan and Meshed forces
advanced from the north (Khwash) while the Kerman force
marched from the west. The Seistan Brigade left Khwash
on the 28th October and captured Gasht on the following
daj. The troops on the Mirjawa-K.hwB.sh line were main-
tamed by motor transport.
The Seistan force occupied Dizzak on the 7th November
and Hushak on the 8 th.
The Meshed troops, marching in the rear of the Seistan
Brigade,^ occupied Magas on the 17th and Fahreh on the
20 th. Bampur was taken on the 23rd by the Kerman
Column. This brought the operations^ to a close.
The total Persian casualties in this campaign were one
officer killed, two officers wounded, 8 other ranks killed and
25 wounded.
Dost Muhammad fled to Sarbaz, whence he telegraphed
to the Shah asking for pardon and permission to visit
Tehran. This was granted and he was sent to Tehran
under escort, where he was kept as a political detenu.
On or about the 12th November 1929 he escaped and en-
deavoured to get back to Persian Baluchistan. He was