With the arrival of troops at Shinawari a commencement had been made at improving the road from thence over the Chagru Kotal to Kharappa, and by the 15th October it was fit for transport animals as far as the top of the pass. In order, however, to work on the north side of the kotal, and so complete the road construction in readiness for the advance on the 20th, it was necessary to drive the enemy from the vicinity so as to prevent them from disturbing our working parties. On the 18th, then, Lieutenant-General Sir A. P. Palmer, temporarily commanding at Shinawari, moved out with troops of the 2nd Division, distributed in two columns. The main column was composed of Brigadier-General Kempster’s 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division: 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. 1st Battalion 2nd Gurkhas. 15th Sikhs. To which were added No. 4 Company Madras Sappers and Miners. No. 8 Mountain Battery. Machine Gun Detachment, 16th Lancers. Scouts, 5th Gurkhas. The second column was under Brigadier-General Westmacott, who had either with him, or was joined by on reaching the Chagru Kotal, three of the battalions of his own, the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division, viz.: 2nd Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers. 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. 1st Battalion 3rd Gurkhas, supplemented for this day by No. 5 Mountain Battery. No. 9 Mountain Battery. Rocket Detachment Royal Artillery. [Sidenote: First Action at Dargai]