Jowaki 1877-8 awarded to Sowar Karam Singh, 5th Punjab Cavalry who was present during the operations The Jowaki Afridi were the most powerful Pathan tribe in the northwest frontier. In 1877 they cut the telegraph wire and killed almost all of the Sepoy guard of 18 men. The colonial government issued a war proclamation against them. They refused to give up the Shakkote murderers, return the stolen British rifles, and pay an indemnity of 30,000 rupees. In 1877, the first British sortie against the Jowaki consisted of 1,500 troops of the British Punjab Frontier Force. Shortly afterwards they were joined by a larger force of 5,900 troops under the command of brigadier generals Charles Patton Keyes and Campbell Claye Grant Ross. Guerrilla assaults included the burning of the disputed road in Kohat pass.