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another mother, was declared as his heir apparent. Mohammad Shah quarreled with his father and fled to Purik (Kargil). Gulab Singh used Mohammad Shah as a puppet against his father. Prior to this during the govern ship of Sher Sing an expeditionary force had to efface a stiff opposition at Gudai Fort and had to retreat when hundreds of them died while crossing Burzil Pass.

During this time affairs at Khaplu took a serious turn. Mehdi Ali Khan imprisoned his two brothers Daulat Ali Khan and Mohammad Shah with the help of his maternal uncle, the Gialpo of Ladakh. They were sent to Nobra for confinement. Mohammad Ali Khan, son of Daulat Ali Khan, fled to Skardu and sought refuge with Ahmad Shah. As a result of the secret agreement between Mehdi Ali Khan and the Ladakhi king, the area of Chorbat was ceded to the latter.

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan of Khaplu started interfering in the affairs of Parkutta. Ahmad Shah sent a force to Khaplu under his nephew, Abdal Khan, son of Raja Ghulam Shah of Parkutta. Abdal Khan was defeated and many Sardars of his force were also killed. Abdal Khan was made a prisoner and kept at Nobra. Ahmad Shah tried his best to release his nephew by negotiation so much so that an equal weight in gold was also offered but Mehdi Ali Khan Killed Abdal Khan instead by driving a nail in his head. In the meanwhile the supporters of Daulat Ali Khan were also working secretly for the overthrow of Mehdi Ali Khan. Ahmad Shah in order to take revenge for the murder of his nephew attacked Mehdi Ali Khan with a large force drawn from far away place as Koli, Palus, Chilas, etc. in Yaghistan. Ahmad Shah pitched his tent on the hill just opposite Khaplu on the right bank of the river and joyfully witnessed the destruction of Khaplu at the hands of his army. The place where Ahmad Shah had pitched his tent is still called. ‘Ahmad Shah Brangsa’ meaning ‘Ahmad Shah’s camp.’ Mehdi Ali Khan was defeated taken prisoner and confined in Ghoti Changra of Skardu where he was tortured to death. Another version, however, is that before the arrival of Ahmad Shah with his forces, the followers of Daulat Ali Khan had already revolted against Mehdi Ali Khan and had made him prisoner. When Ahmad Shah arrived, Mehdi Ali Khan was handed over to him. Daulat Ali Khan thought that he would be made the Raja but Ahmad Shah instead annexed Khaplu with his kingdom and imprisoned his son, Mohammad Ali Khan, which antagonized Daulat Ali Khan. Ahmad Shah appointed Wazir Taqi Zgong Pa as the first Governor of Khaplu who was replaced by Yulstrong Karim after five years. Yulstrong Karim ruled for 15 years till the conquest of Skardu.