Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts Explained

Agencyname:Gilgit Baltistan Scouts
Commonname:GB Scouts
Logocaption:Logo of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Flag:Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts flag.png
Flagcaption:Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Motto:مدافع الجبل
Mottotranslated:Defenders of the North
Preceding1:Northern Light Infantry
Preceding2:Gilgit Scouts
Budget: (2020)[1]
Country:Pakistan
Federal:Yes
Divname:Gilgit-Baltistan
Governingbody:Ministry of the Interior
Speciality1:paramilitary
Speciality2:border
Headquarters:Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Minister1name:Mohsin Raza Naqvi
Minister1pfo:Minister of Interior
Chief1name:Director General
Chief1position:Brig Arslan Israr Mirza
Parentagency:Civil Armed Forces
Oversightbody:Pakistan Army

The Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts, are a federal paramilitary force in Pakistan, tasked with law enforcement in the nominally autonomous territory of Gilgit-Baltistan and border guard duties. The force was formed in 2003 under the control of the Interior Ministry of Pakistan, but it claims a tradition dating back to the Gilgit Scouts formed during the British Raj era.[2] However, the earlier Scouts unit is now a full infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army (see Northern Light Infantry Regiment, which mostly operates in the same region as the current Scouts.

Formation

The older Gilgit Scouts was raised by British India in 1913 to defend the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir's northern frontier. In August 1947, the Scouts along with rebels in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces, switched allegiance to Pakistan and fought on the northern front of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, conquering important places such as Skardu, Kargil and Drass (the latter two were subsequently recaptured by the Indian Army). In 1949, the Gilgit Scouts were split into two forces, with the wing under the original name 'Gilgit Scouts' designated for internal security operations, and a second wing, named the 'Northern Scouts', designated for major external operations. In 1964, the Northern Scouts were further bifurcated with the raising of the 'Karakoram Scouts' based in Skardu. All three forces were brought together again in 1975, under the banner of the Northern Light Infantry (then a paramilitary force). Following the 1999 Kargil War with India, where the Northern Light Infantry saw extensive combat, the force was converted into a regular regiment of the Pakistan Army. The present force of Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts was created in 2003 to fill the internal security role previously carried out by the Northern Light Infantry.[3] [4]

Units

The force is composed of a headquarters, a training centre and six manoeuvre wings (each approximately the size of a battalion). About 40 platoons have been tasked with law enforcement within Gilgit-Baltistan, including seizure of unauthorised weapons.[5] The Scouts went through an expansion phase in 2014, with more than 1,500 new personnel being recruited to help with law enforcement on critical infrastructure projects such as the Karakoram Highway. A sixth wing was also added, charged with protecting the building of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam[6]

Interior Ministry support

Ranks

Rank groupJunior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted

Standard equipment

Appearance

The formal headwear of the scouts are somewhat similar to the ones worn by the Pakistan Rangers (Punjab).

Operations and Internal Security

The Force has been performing both operational and Internal Security tasks since its raising. The Special Composite Task Force formed for the protection of Karakoram Highway is commanded by the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts. The Force also took part in recent operations in Waziristan.

Director Generals

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Federal Budget 2020–2021: Details of demands for grants and appropriations . 3 . 2531 . . 19 December 2022.
  2. Web site: History of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts (GB Scouts) . Ejaz . Hussain . gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk . https://web.archive.org/web/20170108095256/http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk/gbs%20history.htm . 8 January 2017.
  3. https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=162 Northern Light Infantry Regiment (NLI)
  4. Web site: History of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts. https://web.archive.org/web/20180704133852/http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk/gbs%20history.htm . 4 July 2018. dead., Gilgit Baltistan Scouts, retrieved 6 April 2018.
  5. Web site: 20 Months Achievements . 66 . . 10 December 2022 . 15 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230115163413/https://www.nadra.gov.pk/20_Months_achievements_Brochure.pdf . dead .
  6. News: Provinces issuing arms licences under 18th amend . Imran . Mukhtar . 26 September 2014 . recruited 1530 for security of under construction Pak-China corridor . . 10 December 2022.
  7. Web site: COAS Attends the Closing Ceremony of 42nd Pakistan Army Rifle Association Central Meet . Hilal: The Pakistan Armed Forces Magazine . 9 December 2022.
  8. Web site: 20 Months Achievements . 12-14 . . 27 December 2022 . 15 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230115163413/https://www.nadra.gov.pk/20_Months_achievements_Brochure.pdf . dead .