One of Ahmad Shah's first military actions was to capture Qalati Ghilji and Ghazni from the Ghilji, and wrest Kabul and Peshawar from Mughal-appointed governor Nasir Khan. In 1749, the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur was induced to cede Sindh, the Punjab region and the important trans Indus River to Ahmad Shah Durrani in order to save his capital from Afghan attack. Having thus gained substantial territories to the east without a fight, Ahmad Shah turned westward to take possession of Mashhad, which was ruled by Nader Shah Afshar's grandson, Shahrukh Afshar.
Ahmad Shah, after capturing key cities like Qalati Ghilji and Ghazni from the Ghilji, seized Kabul and Peshawar from Mughal-appointed governor Nasir Khan. In 1749, he forced the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur to cede Sindh, Punjab, and the trans Indus River to him in order to protect his capital from Afghan attacks.  After gaining these territories eastward without a fight, Ahmad Shah then turned westward to conquer Mashhad, which was under the control of Shahrukh Afshar, grandson of Nader Shah Afshar.