Furthermore, Mankera held the 3 important towns of Leiah, Bhakkar and Dera Ismail Khan, and the caravan route from Iran and Baluchistan also went through the territory of the Nawab.

[4] Ahmad Yar Khan Tiwana decided to aid the Sikh forces during the battle to settle old scores with the Nawab.

As he was heading to join the Maharaja with 7,000 troops, Nawla was challenged by 25,000 Pashtun and Hazara tribesmen and their leader, Mohammad Khan Tarain, who opposed the Sikh's passage from the area.

[9] This led to the Battle of Mangal in which Nalwa defeated the tribesmen and continued towards Ranjit Singh until meeting him at Mitha Tiwana.

These terms stated that he be allowed to leave the fort with personal things and to be given the town of Dera Ismail Khan as a jagir.