Waziristan campaign ( 1936 – 39 ) The Waziristan campaign 1936 – 1939 comprised a number of operations conducted in Waziristan by British and Indian forces against the fiercely independent tribesmen that inhabited this region . These operations were conducted in 1936 – 1939 , when operations were undertaken against followers of the mysterious Fakir of Ipi , a religious and political agitator who was spreading anti - British sentiment in the region and undermining the prestige of the Indian government in Waziristan at the time . Background . In 1936 , trouble again flared up in Waziristan in the form of a political and religious agitator known as the Fakir of Ipi . There had been for some time growing unrest in the region , fueled by a perception of a weakening of British resolve to govern following a number of constitutional changes in India , however , following a trial of a Muslim student on a charge of abducting a Hindu girl , the Fakir of Ipi began spreading anti - British sentiment in earnest , claiming that the government was interfering in a religious matter . Operations . In late November 1936 , in order to reassert the perception of control over the region , with the approval of the Tori Khel malik s , the government of India decided to move troops through the Khaisora Valley . This would be achieved by marching a column from the garrison at Razmak to the east , to join up at the village of Bichhe Kashkai with a column from the Bannu Brigade , which would advance from the south from Mir Ali . By this stage of British rule in India there were strict rules governing such expeditions on the North West Frontier , and as the purpose of the expedition was only as a demonstration to the tribesmen of government resolve , the decision was made that no offensive action was to be taken unless troops were fired upon . The Razmak column , known as " Razcol " , began the march without incident , but after three days came under fire while traversing a narrow valley about short of Bichhe Kashkai . Intense fighting ensued as the column had to fight its way through to the village , while the two Indian battalions that made up " Tocol " from Mir Ali ran into even tougher opposition and were delayed until the following day . The supply situation was desperate and casualties numbered around 100 , so it was decided to withdraw both columns back to Mir Ali . This was achieved , but the picquets and rearguard were heavily engaged on numerous occasions before they arrived . The outcome of the expedition was the reverse of the desired outcome , as , instead of demonstrating government resolve and strength , it had in fact highlighted their weakness and the Fakir ' s support rose dramatically . For the next year , trouble and insurrection spread throughout Waziristan , as Wazirs , Mahsuds , Bhittanis , and even Afghans from across the border rallied to support the Fakir ' s cause . By April 1937 , four extra brigade s had been brought in to reinforce the garrisons at Razmak , Bannu and Wana and at the height of the campaign in 1937 , some 60 , 000 regular and irregular troops were employed by the British in an effort to bring to battle an estimated 4 , 000 hostile tribesmen . While the British attempted to stamp out the insurrection by drawing the lashkars into decisive engagement , the Fakir of Ipi remained at large ( and indeed was never caught ) , and on the main , the tribesmen managed to avoid being drawn into battle using guerrilla tactics of ambush in order to keep the initiative . In doing so , they inflicted considerable casualties upon the British and Indian troops . An example of this occurred in April 1937 , when a convoy from Wana was ambushed in the Shahur Tangi defile . Using captured mountain guns and modern rifles , the vehicles were destroyed and the exits blocked , and in the ensuing battle seven officers and 45 men were killed , while another 47 were wounded . The tribesmen did not have everything their way , however , as the British began quartering the troubled areas and destroying hostile villages with both air and ground forces . These forces included five batteries of mechanised field artillery , two companies of Mk II and Mk IIb Light Tank s and six squadron s of aircraft including Hawker Hart s , Westland Wapiti s and Hawker Audax s . By December 1937 , the Fakir ' s support began to wane and following this , the decision was made to withdraw most of the additional brigades that had been brought up to bolster the garrisons at Razmak , Bannu and Wanna as it was decided that their presence would only serve to inflame the situation . Trouble flared up again in 1938 – 39 , although to a much lesser extent . On 23 July 1938 , a lashkar launched a daring attack on the town of Bannu , killing up to 200 civilians and damaging a considerable amount of property . As a result of this , British prestige was again weakened and support for the Fakir grew once again . Aftermath . After 1939 , the North West Frontier quietened down , and indeed remained reasonably peaceful , albeit apart from the occasional raid on a village or attack on a garrison , until the end of British rule in 1947 .