| Gilgit Baltistan Scouts گلگت بلتستان سکاؤٹس | |
|---|---|
| Common name | GB Scouts |
|
File:Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts log.jpg Logo of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts | |
 Flag of the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts | |
| Motto | The Defenders of the North |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1889 as (Punial Levies) modern formation 2003 |
| Employees | 25,000 (2013)[citation needed] |
| Annual budget | classified |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | Pakistan |
| Governing body | Ministry of the Interior |
| General nature |
|
| Specialist jurisdiction | National border patrol, security, and integrity. |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Gilgit, Gilgit−Baltistan |
| Agency executive | Director General, Brig Zia ur Rehman[1] |
| 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 of protecting the China–Pakistan border and supporting Civil Administration in ensuring the maintenance of law and order in Gilgit-Baltistan and anywhere else in Pakistan.[2] 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 the "Empowerment and Self Governance Order" in 2009.[3]
History[]
Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts can be identified with Gilgit Scouts which were raised in 1889 as punial levies. 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 the Northern Areas (now Gilgit−Baltistan). Gilgit Scouts were further reinforced by the raising of Northern Scouts and Karakorum Scouts. These three Corps of Scouts subsequently merged in 1974 to form the Northern Light Infantry (NLI).[4]
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 a Civil Armed Force in the Northern Areas remained a constant demand of the people since 1974. NA Scouts, therefore, emerged as the 5th Civil Armed Force of Pakistan on 31 October 2003.
With the imposition of the "Empowerment and Self Governance Order" in 2009, the Northern Areas were given the name of Gilgit−Baltistan. Consequently the Northern Area Scouts, being a Federal Civil Armed Force in this region, was also renamed as the Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts on 17 January 2011.[3]
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 maintaining Law and Order.[2]
Organization[]
The Force is organized along the lines of the regular army. Units in the 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.[2]
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[]
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Pakistan (Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts)| Equivalent NATO Code |
OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) & Student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank group | Junior commissioned officers | Non commissioned officer | Enlisted
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Pakistan (Gilgit−Baltistan Scouts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Training[]
Each scout undergoes a six-month training at the 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 to achieve the following:
- To train selected recruits so as to turn a raw civilian into an intelligent, self-confident, motivated, and physically fit scout.
- Produce young scouts 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 the handling of the basic weapons used in the 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 – ARGES 84 (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
- NVG goggles
- Utility Vehicles – HIT Mohafiz, Indus Hilux locally produced
- Helicopters – Bell 206, Bell 412
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 Karakorum Highway is commanded by the 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[]
- ↑ "Sheikh Rashid hails GB-Scouts for maintaining law and order" (in en). The Nation (newspaper). 2021-04-03. https://nation.com.pk/03-Apr-2021/sheikh-rashid-hails-gb-scouts-for-maintaining-law-and-order.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hussain, Ejaz. "Role of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts (GB Scouts)". gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk. http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk/role.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hussain, Ejaz. "History of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts ( GB Scouts )". gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk. http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk/gbs%20history.htm.
- ↑ http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk
- ↑ Wings history, gilgitbaltinscouts.gov.pk Archived 21 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Hussain, Ejaz. "GB Scouts Training facilities )". gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk. http://www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk/Training.htm.
External links[]
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The original article can be found at Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and the edit history here.