[1] Upon the outbreak of the First World War, over one million Indian soldiers were mobilised to fight the Central Powers in Asia, Africa and Europe.

[a] He then partook in a belligerent engagement with British troops causing savage losses and was said to have been decorated with the Iron Cross on April 24 by the Kaiser himself, Wilhelm II.

Mir Mast also made contact with Haji Sahib of Turangzai who was occupied fighting the British with the Mohmand tribe.

Peshawar Commissioner George Roos-Keppel discovered the plot and burned the houses of Mir Mast and his companions in an attempt to corner him.

[1][2][5][6][7] Mir Mast eventually returned to his homeland but remained just outside of British jurisdiction in the border area of the Emirate of Afghanistan.