 On July 26 , while British officers were playing polo near camp Malakand North , indigenous spectators who were watching the match learned of an approaching Pashtun force and fled . Brigadier @-@ General Meiklejohn , commander of the Malakand forces , was informed by Deane that " matters had assumed a very grave aspect " and that there were armed Pashtuns gathering nearby . Reinforcements from Mardan ( 32 miles ( 51 km ) away ) were requested , and Lieutenant P. Eliott @-@ Lockhart departed at <unk> At <unk> , a final telegram was received informing the garrison that the Fakir had passed Khar and was advancing on Malakand . The telegram also stated that neither the levies nor the people would act against him , and that the hills to the east of the camp were covered with Pathans . Shortly after , the communication wire was cut . 
