Following a punitive expedition in 1900-02, the Mahsud had signed a peace agreement with the British authorities, bringing conflict to an end for the time being.

However, in November 1913, the Mahsud chieftain, Mulla Powinda, died, and his son, Fazl-Din, disregarded the peace agreement and renewed raids, with encouragement from pro-Turkish and anti-British elements in the Afghan government.

[6] From April 1914 to March 1915, the Mahsuds committed 81 raids classed as serious, which do not include numerous cases of cattle lifting, burglary, wire cutting and small offences.

[7] In 1916, Viceroy Frederic Thesiger was informed that:[6] no village is safe, and the Mahsuds raid from their hills right down to the banks of the Indus and Kill, entrap and abduct Hindus.

[2] Mahsud attacks throughout the first half of 1917 on pickets, garrisons and convoys belonging to the British prompted a punitive expedition in June.