MOVIES AND THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

Satellite view of the N.W. region showing its rugged mountainous nature.

Blockhouse, Khyber Pass area, c. 1900. Troops of the Khyber Rifles used such blockhouses as bases for their patrols.

The Khyber Pass.

Even in the 21st Century, some bridging and transport in the Khyber area remains unchanged from that of centuries ago.

This map suggests the strategic importance of the region as a corridor and buffer between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Chitral area: Kipling's 'The Man Who Would Be King' and John Huston's movie are set near this region.

The Tribal Zone is the focus of main supply and infiltration routes used by the Taliban and Al Queda.

1919 - a British Indian Army artillery column moving to repel an Afghanistan invasion which threatened to wipe out a stranded column of Indian troops and their British officers which had become stranded in Waziristan, in the North West Frontier. Note the difficult terrain which partially neglected the British advantage in firepower. (Source: http://forum.urduworld.com)

A warning of Russian strategic iexpansionist ntentions in Asia in the late 19th Century is provided by this painting of the attack on the Turkoman fortress of Geok-Tepe, in the Turkistan region. Russian sailors took part in this land battle. Russia took over Turkistan, increasing British fears that Russia might try to contest British control of the Indian sub-continent.

1930s RAF Westland Wapiti biplanes on patrol over rugged Waziristan landscape.

RAF Harrier jet on patrol in Afghanistan early 21st Century.

  

Movies About the North-West Frontier / Afghanistan