Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts

Gilgit Baltistan Scouts گلگت بلتستان سکاؤٹس
Logo of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts
Common name	GB Scouts
Motto	The Defenders of the North
Agency overview
Formed	1913; 108 years ago (1913) as (Gilgit Scouts) modern formation 2003
Employees	25,000 (2013)[1]
Annual budget	classified
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency	Pakistan
Operations jurisdiction	Pakistan
Governing body	Ministry of the Interior
General nature	Federal law enforcement
Specialist jurisdiction	National border patrol, security, and integrity.
Operational structure
Headquarters	Gilgit, Gilgit−Baltistan
Agency executive	Director General, Brig Zia ur Rehman[2]
Parent agency	Pakistan Army
Website
www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk

The Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts (reporting name: GB Scouts) are part of the Paramilitary forces of Pakistan, under the direct control of the Ministry of the Interior of the Pakistan Government. The Scouts are an internal and border security force with the prime objective to protect the China–Pakistan border and support Civil Administration in ensuring maintenance of law and order in Gilgit-Baltistan and anywhere else in Pakistan.^[3] 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.^[4]

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 (now Gilgit−Baltistan). 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 (NLI).

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.^[4]

Role[]

• Perform Border Security duties in Gilgit−Baltistan or elsewhere.
• Assist the Army's Forces Command Northern Areas (FCNA) in the defence of the Country as and when required.
• Protect important Communication Centers and Routes.
• Undertake Counter Terrorism Operations on orders.
• Assist Law Enforcement Agencies in maintenance of Law and Order.^[3]

Organization[]

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.^[3]

The three Wings and their locations are:^[5]

• 112 Wing at Skardu (east),
• 113 Wing at Gilgit (west),
• 114 Wing at Chilas (south-central).

Ranks[]

Rank group	General/flag officers										Field/senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts v t
									Brigadier بریگیڈیئر		Colonel کرنل		Lieutenant colonel لیفٹیننٹ کرنل		Major میجر		Captain کیپٹن		Lieutenant لیفٹنینٹ			Second lieutenant سیکنڈ لیفٹیننٹ

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts v t																													No insignia
	Subedar-Major صوبیدار میجر						Subedar صوبیدار		Naib Subedar نائب صوبیدار		Havildar حوالدار۔												Naik نائیک۔				Lance Naik لانس نائیک۔		Sepoy سپاہی۔

Training[]

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.^[6]

Standard equipment[]

• Automatic Rifles – 7.62 mm Heckler & Koch G3, 7.62 mm Type 56 (POF made)
• Sub-Machine Guns – 9 mm Heckler & Koch MP5
• Pistols – Glock series, Sigma series
• Sniper Rifles – POF PSR-90, Steyr SSG 69
• Hand Grenades – (POF made)
• Anti-tank Weapons – RPG-7 (Rocket Launcher), M40A1 (Recoilless Rifle)
• Machine Gun – 7.62 mm Rheinmetall MG3 (POF made)
• Heavy Machine Gun – 12.7mm Type 54 (POF made)
• Mortars – Various locally produced in use
• Bullet Proof Jackets – Various local and foreign types
• Helmets – Modular Integrated Communications Helmet and indigenous helmets locally produced
• Utility Vehicles – HIT Mohafiz, Indus Hilux locally produced
• Helicopters – Bell 206, Bell 412

Appearance[]

The formal head wear of the scouts are somewhat similar to the ones worn by the Pakistan Rangers Punjab.

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.

Director Generals[]

• Brigadier Inayat Wali (2004–2005)
• Brigadier Tassaduq Hussain Zahid (2005–2007)
• Brigadier Azmat Ali (2007–2009)
• Brigadier Nadeem Ul Ahsan Tirmizi (2009–2012)
• Brigadier Babar Allauddin (2012–2014)
• Brigadier Farooq Azam (2014–2016)
• Brigadier Ijaz Ur Rehman Tanveer (2016 - 2017)
• Brigadier Abrar Ahmed (2017 - 2019)
• Brigadier Zia Ur Rehman (2019 - To date)

See also[]

• Paramilitary forces of Pakistan
• Law enforcement in Pakistan
• Northern Light Infantry
• Gilgit Scouts

References[]

External links[]

• Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts