The Gilgit Baltistan Scouts are part of the Paramilitary forces of Pakistan, under the direct control of the Ministry of the Interior of the PakistanGovernment. The Scouts are an internal security force with the prime objective to protect northern borders of Pakistan and support Civil Administration in ensuring maintenance of law and order anywhere in Pakistan. The force was formerly known as the Northern Areas Scouts but was renamed to the Gilgit Baltistan Scouts in 2011 due to the imposition of "Empowerment and Self Governance Order" in 2009.
History
Gilgit Baltistan Scouts can be identified with Gilgit Scouts which were raised in 1889. This force played a key role in fighting the war of liberation against Dogra / Indian Forces in 1947/1948 and won independence for the people of Northern Areas. Gilgit Scouts were further reinforced by raising of Northern Scouts and Karakorum Scouts. These three Corps of Scouts subsequently merged in 1974 to form the Northern Light Infantry. The first commander of the Northern Area Scouts was Brig M Aslam Khan, whose brother Air Marshal Asghar Khan was the renowned first C-in-C of the Pakistan Air Force. After the Kargil conflict, in 1999 the Northern Light Infantry Units were given the status of regular Army. The need of having Civil Armed Force in the Northern Areas remained a constant demand of the people since 1974. NA Scouts, therefore emerged as 5th Civil Armed Force of Pakistan on 31 October 2003. With the imposition of "Empowerment and Self Governance Order" in 2009, Northern Areas were given the name of Gilgit Baltistan. Consequently, Northern Area Scouts being a Federal Civil Armed Force in this region was also renamed as Gilgit Baltistan Scouts on 17 January 2011.
Role
Perform Border Security duties in Gilgit Baltistan or elsewhere.
Assist the Army's Forces Command Northern Areas in the defence of the Country as and when required.
Protect important Communication Centers and Routes.
The Force is organized along the lines of regular army. Units in Gilgit Baltistan Scouts are called Wings with each one having a strength of 827 people. The Force has three wings, one training centre and Force Headquarters. The three Wings and their locations are:
Each scout undergoes a six-month training at Gilgit Baltistan Scouts Training Centre. They undergo different training courses in the wings and Gilgit Baltistan Scouts Centre. Each year a number of selected scouts also acquire training from Pakistan Army training institutions. Training is conducted as under.
To train selected recruits so as to turn a raw civilian in to an intelligent, self-confident, motivated and physical fit scout.
Produce young scout with sound character traits, military bearing and appearance.
Prepare a recruit mentally and physically for Internal Security and other operational requirements.
To train recruits in handling of the basic weapons used in Gilgit Baltistan Scouts.
Standard equipment
Automatic Rifles – 7.62 mm Heckler & Koch/POF G3, 7.62 mm Type 56
Sub-Machine Guns – 9 mm Heckler & Koch/POF MP5, 9 mm SMG-PK
The formal head wear of the scouts are somewhat similar to the ones worn by the Pakistan RangersPunjab.
Operations and Internal Security
The Force is performing both operational and Internal Security tasks since its raising. The Special Composite Task Force formed for protection of Karakorum Highway is commanded by Gilgit Baltistan Scouts. The Force also took part in recent operations in Waziristan.
