A cavalry reconnaissance was made next day, the 10th, some miles up the Gandab Valley without seeing anything of the enemy; but as the gathering, so far from having dispersed, was reported as intending to return to the attack after replenishment of ammunition and supplies, the troops at Shabkadar were made up to 2500 men, a bridge of boats was substituted for the ferry at Hajizai, telegraphic communication was established between Peshawar and Shabkadar, and fresh troops were sent up to fill the gaps in the Peshawar garrison. While the necessity for the early chastisement of the Mohmands was recognised by the Indian Government, it was considered that, in view of the generally disturbed state of the north-west frontier, the moment was not propitious for such action, and consequently it was decided merely to concentrate two strong moveable columns, the one at Peshawar and the other at Shabkadar, ready for eventualities. [Sidenote: Expedition of 1897] _Expedition against the Mohmands, 1897._—Signs of restlessness were now being daily reported from the Afridi and Orakzai country, and finally, on the 23rd and 24th August, the smouldering embers of fanaticism in this direction burst suddenly into flames, and the Khyber forts were attacked as described in Chapter XIII. The Hadda Mullah was once again rumoured to have taken the field with 4000 Baizai Mohmands, intending another attack upon Shabkadar; his other plan of attacking Dir, in retaliation for the friendly attitude towards us of the Khan of that country, having come to naught by reason of operations which have been elsewhere described. In consequence of these reports the Government now, during the first week in September, sanctioned extensive punitive operations against the various tribes on the Peshawar border, and decided that the Mohmands should be the first tribe to be taken in hand. Everything pointed to the operations being short and decisive, as two powerful bodies were about to move into the Mohmand country from opposite directions. Sir Bindon Blood was to act from the north and east, while Brigadier-General Elles (with the rank of Major-General), with two brigades under Brigadier-Generals Westmacott and Macgregor, would move from Shabkadar. 1ST (WESTMACOTT’S) BRIGADE. 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. 20th Punjab Infantry. 2nd Battalion 1st Gurkhas. 2ND (MACGREGOR’S) BRIGADE. 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. 9th Gurkhas. 37th Dogras. DIVISIONAL TROOPS. 13th Bengal Lancers. No. 3 Mountain Battery R.A. No. 5 Mountain Battery R.A. 28th Bombay Pioneers.[99] Patiala Regiment, Imperial Service Troops. Nabha Regiment, Imperial Service Troops. Two Maxim guns, Devonshire Regiment. [Sidenote: Combined Operations]