Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts

The Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts, are a civil armed force of 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.

This article is about a Pakistani paramilitary force raised in 2003. For a previous paramilitary force with a similar name, see Gilgit Scouts.

Gilgit Baltistan Scouts
گلگت بلتستان سکاؤٹس
Logo of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Logo of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Common nameGB Scouts
MottoThe Defenders of the North
Agency overview
Formed2003 (2003)
Preceding agencies
Annual budgetRs. 2.1 billion (2020)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agencyPakistan
Operations jurisdictionGilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Governing bodyMinistry of the Interior
General nature
Specialist jurisdictions
  • Paramilitary law enforcement, counter insurgency, and riot control.
  • National border patrol, security, and integrity.
Operational structure
Overviewed byPakistan Army
HeadquartersGilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Parent agencyCivil Armed Forces
Website
www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk

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][5]

Units
Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts.

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.[6] 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[7]

Interior Ministry support
  • 50 Aviation Squadron[9]

Ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Brigadier
بریگیڈیئر		 Colonel
کرنل		 Lieutenant colonel
لیفٹیننٹ کرنل		 Major
میجر		 Captain
کیپٹن		 Lieutenant
لیفٹنینٹ		 Second lieutenant
سیکنڈ لیفٹیننٹ
Rank groupJunior commissioned officersNon commissioned officerEnlisted
Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
 No insignia
Subedar-Major
صوبیدار میجر		 Subedar
صوبیدار		 Naib Subedar
نائب صوبیدار		 Havildar
حوالدار۔		 Naik
نائیک۔		 Lance Naik
لانس نائیک۔		 Sepoy
سپاہی۔

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

References
  1. "Federal Budget 2020–2021: Details of demands for grants and appropriations" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. p. 2531. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  2. Hussain, Ejaz. "History of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts (GB Scouts)". gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017.
  3. Northern Light Infantry Regiment (NLI) Archived 2018-03-25 at the Wayback Machine, Pakistan Army, retrieved 25 March 2018.
  4. "History of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts". Archived from the original on 4 July 2018., Gilgit Baltistan Scouts, retrieved 6 April 2018.
  5. Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, p. 255, ISBN 978-1-84904-342-7
  6. "20 Months Achievements" (PDF). National Database and Registration Authority. p. 66. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  7. Mukhtar, Imran (26 September 2014). "Provinces issuing arms licences under 18th amend". The Nation. Retrieved 10 December 2022. recruited 1530 for security of under construction Pak-China corridor
  8. "COAS Attends the Closing Ceremony of 42nd Pakistan Army Rifle Association Central Meet". Hilal: The Pakistan Armed Forces Magazine. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  9. "20 Months Achievements" (PDF). National Database and Registration Authority. p. 12-14. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
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