Khassadars of Waziristan

Khassadars road patrol, Waziristan, early 20th postcard photo. Source

Wazir Khassadars, Waziristan, 1920 (c). Photo by Randolph Bezzant Holmes.

The Khassadars were local tribal policemen who wore no uniform and provided their own rifles. They had no British officers and were controlled by their own Maliks. They were employed on road protection tasks, police work amongst the frontier tribes and customs and revenue duties. In return the Maliks received payment from the British Government. During the 3rd Afghan War (1919) and Revolt in Waziristan (1919-1920), many Khassadars threw in their lot with their tribal cousins and joined the uprising.

Khassadars, Waziristan, 1939.

British Soldiers with Khassadars of North Waziristan, at Chitral , circa 1940