Battle of Akora Khattak

The Battle of Akora Khattak was fought between the Sikh Empire and Mujahideen, mainly Afghans, under Syed Ahmad Barelvi. Local Yusufzai and Khattak Pashtuns, led by Khadi Khan, supported Sayyid, and the attack was successful, resulting in significant casualties for the opposition.

Battle
Akora, located 18 miles from Attock across the Indus, held strategic importance. The area was inhabited by Khattak Afghans led by Najaf Khan, who retreated into the hills when the Sikhs conquered Peshawar. At this time, Budh Singh Sandhanwalia was stationed in Akora with 4,000 troops. Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi gathered his Pashtun soldiers for a nocturnal assault. His forces comprised Kandharis, Yusafzais, and Khattaks. In the early morning of December 21, 1826, when the Sikhs were sleeping in the bitter cold, Allahbakhsh Khan led the Ghazis in their attack and repulsed the Sikhs. Sayyid's forces lost 36 Hindustanis and 46 Kandahari Pashtuns, including Patna's Maulvi Baqar Ali and their leader Allahbakhsh Khan, while the Sikhs lost between 500 and 700 well-equipped soldiers.

Aftermath
Following the successful guerrilla attack, the Yusufzai and Khattak tribesmen, having suffered very few casualties, returned to the hills. Subsequently, these tribesmen launched numerous guerrilla attacks against the Sikhs. The Sayyid's army again attacked the Sikhs which ultimately led to the Battle of Shaidu.