On 5 February, three companies of 4/5 GR, led by Captain Fisher, Major I.M Brown MC* and the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel J H Turner, made an encircling move on the village of Kahnla.
Further reconnaissance on 6 February indicated that the remainder of the objective was strongly held by the Japanese and on 7 February the 4th Battalion/1 Gurkha Rifles (4/1 GR) established a firm base for 4/5 GR.