In accordance with his new policy, in 849 the caliph ordered Ishaq to eliminate the powerful chamberlain Itakh, who had left Samarra to go on the pilgrimage that year. On his return journey, Itakh was intercepted by Ishaq and convinced to make a detour to Baghdad; upon his arrival, he was separated from his retinue and detained. He was allowed to die of thirst while held in Ishaq's residence, and his sons remained in prison for the remainder of al-Mutawakkil's reign.[20]