In Pictures: Walking warily in Waziristan

The Waziristan area 90 years ago was awash with weapons, bombs and munitions. This bomb - which failed to go off - is originally believed to have been dropped by the British Royal Flying Corps.

Capt Stockdale and his bearer, Alla Bux (pictured), survived several skirmishes with tribals in the Waziristan area. British and India troops also had to contend with intense heat and outbreaks of diseases.

Capt Stockdale's cook in camp. British encampments were often surrounded by tribesmen who were not renowned for taking prisoners alive. The mountains made it hard to defend the camps.

British troops marvelled at the toughness of their enemies who seemed to be able to survive indefinitely in the most arid of conditions. Then as now peace negotiations were commonplace.

When not being attacked while attempting to expand the Raj, British troops like Capt Stockdale tried to improve the infrastructure of what remains one of the most inhospitable and remote areas of the world.

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