1924 in Afghanistan
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See also: 1923 in Afghanistan, other events of 1924, and 1925 in Afghanistan.
[edit] January 1924
After long delay, the Afghan government at length takes energetic measures to arrest the lawless gangs which, after committing several murders of British officials and their wives across the border, had found refuge on Afghan territory. The so-called "Kohat gang" is captured on January 13 and brought to Kabul, and of the "Landi-Kotal" murderers one is killed a few days afterwards and the other wounded, but not captured. The prisoners are subsequently deported to Turkestan. At the same time the Afghan government desists from employing in its army Wazir tribesmen from British territory, thus showing a less unfriendly spirit to Britain than had characterized it for some time previously.
[edit] End of April 1924
The amir has, as in the previous year, to meet a serious rebellion due to discontent with the reforms which he seeks to introduce. The centre of the revolt is the Khost district, and the chief tribe engaged the Mangals. The rebels threaten Matun, and a considerable force is sent by the amir to relieve it. A sharp engagement takes place near the city in May, with indecisive result. The revolt gains strength, and in July the rebels proclaim as amir one Abdul Karim, who professes to be a grandson of the amir Shir Ali, but who is stated by the Indian government to be the illegitimate Indian-born son of the amir Yakub Khan, who disowned him as a disgrace to the Afghan community. In August the amir purchases two aeroplanes from the British for use against the rebels, and his consort stimulates the enthusiasm of his soldiers by distributing large rewards to all who serve under his flag. Nevertheless the struggle with the rebels, who have been joined by other tribes, continues for some time. At length in October the rebels begin to show signs of demoralization; a severe defeat is inflicted on them at Logar, and by November the insurrection in the Khost has generally subsided. The government, however, finds it advisable still to maintain a strong force in the Khost. Earlier in the year Russian envoys at Kabul sought to excite anti-British feeling, and in particular accuse Britain of fomenting the rebellion. In spite of this, however, relations between Afghanistan and Britain improve considerably.
