The Khyber Rifles
Subtitle: from the British Raj to Al Qaeda
By: Jules Stewart
Edition: Pbk ed.
Publisher: Sutton
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Stroud
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9780750939645
Subjects: Military History; Great Britain. Army. Khyber Rifles; Great Britain; Pakistan. Army. Khyber Rifles; Pakistan
Description: Still recruited from the Pathan tribes that live in the no-man's land between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Khyber Rifles continue to guard one of the world's most volatile borders. For more than a century these poachers turned gamekeepers fought for the British Raj against their own kin, but until now nothing has been written about their key role in Britain's struggle to dominate the North-West Frontier. Journalist Stewart tells the story of the British colonel who raised the corps in 1878, and describes them in action against uprisings. In 1947, Pakistan gained its independence and the Khyber Rifles took on new duties, amongst them pursuing drug smugglers and terrorists. Most recently they set up the first permanent military presence in the forbidden tribal territory of Tirah, to seal the border against Al Qaeda militants and eradicate the opium trade.--From publisher description.
Notes: Originally published in hardback: 2005.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-255) and index.