Khalaf ibn Amad, amir of the Saffarid…

Khalaf ibn Amad, amir of the Saffarid dynasty, is reported to have participated in a campaign together with Sebuktigin and the Farighunid amir of Guzgan to assist the Samanids in quelling a rebellion in Khurasan.

When Sebuktigin died in 997, however, his two sons Mahmud and Ismail had disputed over who should succeed him.

Khalaf had viewed this as an opportunity to gain territory from the Ghaznavids, and had sent his fourth son Tahir to take Quhistan and Badghis in 998.

Tahir had been defeated in Baghdis by Mahmud's uncle Bughrachuq, although the latter was killed in the fighting.

Mahmud has no intention of letting this assault go unpunished.

He leads his troops into Sistan in 1000 and traps a surprised Khalaf, who is staying at a hill resort.

Khalaf, lacking an army, has to pay an indemnity, put Mahmud's name before his own on his coins and place the Ghaznavid's name in the khutba.