PĀINDĀ KHĀN (d.1844), chief of Darband lying on the eastern bank of the River Indus in a narrow valley, remained in rebellion against the Sikh government from the time Ranjīt Siṅgh had occupied Attock in 1813. Unable to expel the Sikh garrisons established at various strategic places, he set himself up on the western bank of the Indus at Amb, and continued making sporadic raids and plundering the people, especially in the areas of Chhachh, Hazārā, Muzaffarābād and Nausherā. A force was sent against him from Peshāwar, and he fled away into the hills. Yet he continued to disturb the peace in the region. Rājā Gulāb Siṅgh instigated him to defy the authority of the Lahore Darbār. In September 1844, General Dhauṅkal Siṅgh, commanding officer of the 'Sikh troops in Hazārā, had Pāindā Khān poisoned to death.