The 3rd Sikh Infantry participated in the prelude to the Jowaki Expedition in August of 1877. After a long series of difficulties with the Jowaki Afridis, Indian Army troops advanced into the Jowaki Country (29 August) in three columns, by different routes, destroying several villages, and again retiring by the same roads (1 OR KIA, 1 Officer and 9 OR's wounded). The force was commanded by Col. Mocatta, commanding officer of the 3 rd Sikhs. Private Khushal Singh, 3rd Sikh Infantry, was present during these operations. Col. Mocatta's raid did not modify the hostile behavior of the Jowaki Afridis.
A second invasion and occupation of the county until the offending clans had submitted was ordered. Two Columns were detailed to enter the country on the 19th of November 1877. One, the Peshawar Column under Brig. Gen. C.C.G. Ross was to enter through the Peshawar Pass and the other, with the 3rd Sikh Infantry, the Kohat Column under Brig. Gen. C.P. Keyes, was to enter through the Kohat Pass. Minor opposition to the advance was encountered through both passes, except for a column under Col. Mocatta, consisting of detachments of No.1 Mountain Battery, the 1st and 3rd Sikh Infantry, and the 29th Native Infantry. This column advanced from Turkai on the 15th of January, into the Nara Khula defile, which was defended in some strength by the Jowakis, but the defile was forced after some time and with little loss to the Column. On the 23rd and 24th of January 1877 the Jowakis surrendered. Private Khushal Singh, 3rd Sikh Infantry, was present during these operations. Total losses for the ten week's of operations were 1 officer 11 men killed and 50 men wounded. The IGS-54 with clasp Jowaki 1877-8 was issued by G.G.O. Nos. 143 of 1879 and 285 of 1880.
The 3rd Sikh Infantry participated in the 2nd Campaign, 1879-80 of the 2nd Afghan War. Havdr. Khushal Singh served with the regiment throughout the assault on, and the ensuing defense of the Shutargardan Pass from 24 Sept. through 1 Nov. 1879, in the operations against the tribes around Kabul in Dec. 1879 including the storming and capture of the Takht-i-Shah, Dec. 11th-14th, 1879. As members of the 2nd Brigade of the Kabul Field Force the 3rd Sikh Infantry was engaged in keeping roads open and responding to various raids around Kabul from Jan. to Aug. 1880. In Aug. 1880 the Kabul to Kandahar Field Force was established to effect the relief of besieged Kandahar and the 3rd Sikhs were attached to the 2nd Brigade. At the end of the march from Kabul to Kandahar the regiment was engaged in the Battle of Kandahar. This battle not only relieved the garrison, but brought the war to a speedy conclusion.