File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎271v] (190/1080)

2
i
13. Kaakha, May 25th.—On the 23rd a train arrived at Merv from Tashkent
loaded with rifle ammunition and supplies, and left the same day for Kushk.
14. Kushk, May 1M.— Food conditions have improved as supplies are
arriving from Merv ; there is sufficient now for three months.
15. There is still no communication between the Afghan and Russian ^
frontier officials. The Russians are preparing for war, and the Afghans have
considerably strengthened their frontier garrisons in the Kushk area.
16. Rebel bands are very active between Kushk and Kirki, and the
Bolsheviks have sent troops from Kushk and Takhta Bazaar against them. Rebels
retire on approach of Bolshevik forces.
' Khiva.
17. Report from Charjui states that a large number of troops have been
sent to Khiva by river and road. Fierce fighting is going on near Khiva. The
Bolsheviks announced on the 19th May that they had defeated the Khivans
and occupied the province.
Bokhara.
18. A statement made by Muhammad Tagi Bey {vide Diary No. 15, para,
graph 6) is attached as Appendix II to this Diary.
19. Troops of the Young Bokharan units have been absorbed in Bolshevik
units. All able-bodied men are being recruited and sent to Tashkent, in orderto
prevent the strengthening of the Bokharan rebels.
20. Notices have been distributed throughout the Province, signed by i
car-Amir, calling for a holy war against the foreigners (Bolsheviks) who i?
endeavouring to trample under foot the Muhammadans. The notices state tk
ear-Amir does not want to become king again, but only wants to help clear tk
foreigners from the Islamic country. The Chief priest, Agha Khawja supports
the action of the car-Amir. The notices have caused considerable unrest amongst
the population, and fear to the Bolsheviks. The latter are withdrawing all outside
Young Bokharan troops and replacing them by Communists.
21. Troops from Tashkent are being sent to Charjui, Karshi and Kirki.
22. Karshi, May 18th. —Trains carrying Bolshevik troops leave on alternate
clays for Guzar. From the latter place these reinforcements are marched to tlie
front. Fighting is severe, and many Bolshevik wounded are returned by
trains from Guzar and sent on to Kagan.
23. Kermineh, May The villages near the town are in the hands of
the rebels. Kermineh was attacked on the 11th May, but the rebels retreated
after 6 hours’ fighting. The Bolsheviks did not pursue them.
24. Reference Diary No. 12, paragraphs 19 and 21. Mirza Mohsin, who is
in touch with the Shahr-i-Sabz rebels, has now 4,000 men under him. His
assistant is Akram Khawja. Jan Mtirad Bai was imprisoned by the Bolsheviks,
and a Khirghiz, Chujam Bai, appointed governor in his stead. The Young
Bokharan troops were sent to Bokhara, and have been replaced by Bolsheviks.
Samarkand.
25. Katta Rurqhan, May 18th. — Rebels belonging to the band commanded
by Mirza Mohsin {vide paragraph 24), have a stronghold at Nur Ata from which
they attack villages and damage the railway line.
26. Samarkand bazaar was attacked on the 11th May by 1,000 rebels. The
bazaar was sacked and 6 Russian and Armenian police killed. Rebels left after
2 hours, returning towards Shahr-i-Sabz.
Tashkent.
27. Trains are taking 8 days to go from Tashkent to Merv, owing to the
damage done to the line by the rebels. The trains from Samara are very irregular,
due to the same cause.