| Gilgit Scouts | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Gilgit Scouts | |
| Active | 1913–1975 |
| Allegiance |
|
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Nickname(s) | Northern Battalion |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major William Brown Brigadier Aslam Khan |
TheGilgit Scouts was aparamilitary force within theGilgit-Baltistan region in northernPakistan. They were raised by theBritish Raj in 1913, on behalf of the princely state ofJammu and Kashmir, to police theGilgit Agency, which formed the northern frontier of British India. The force was composed of local men recruited by British commanders.
In November 1947, under the command ofMajor William Brown, the Gilgit Scouts staged arebellion and overthrew the Governor of Gilgit under the Jammu and Kashmir state. The Muslim element of theState Forces based atBunji joined the rebels. TheAzad Kashmir provisional government took control of the force by sending ColonelAslam Khan as its commander. The combined force conquered all ofBaltistan, giving rise to the present day Gilgit-Baltistan.[1]
The force was continued by Pakistan till 1975 when it was integrated into theNorthern Light Infantry of thePakistan Army.
When theGilgit Agency was established in 1889, it was controlled using theImperial Service Troops provided by the Maharaja ofJammu and Kashmir and placed under the command of the BritishPolitical Agent.[2][3] A few contingents of British Indian troops and 14 British officers were added in 1891.[4] Levies fromPunial were also present earlier.[5] After theHunza–Nagar Campaign in 1891, and the pacification ofChilas andChitral, the British Indian troops were gradually reduced, and replaced by new levies fromHunza,Nagar and Punial.[6]
In 1913, the local levies were replaced by a permanent body of troops on acompany basis, under the name "Gilgit Scouts". The force was paid for by the state ofJammu and Kashmir, but commanded by British officers under the control of the British Political Agent at Gilgit.[7] The initial strength of Gilgit Scouts was 656 men. They were organised into 8 companies of 80 men each. Each company had two native officers, a Subedar and a Jamadar.[7]
The force had no connection to theJammu and Kashmir State Forces,[8] but became part of theFrontier Corps, along withChitral Scouts,Kurram Militia and other local forces.[9]The recruits were from all areas of the Gilgit Agency and had the advantage of local knowledge. They were also acclimatised to local climate and the harsh mountain terrain. They were responsible for maintaining local order as well as monitoring foreign activity along the northern borders.[8]
The recruitment in the Gilgit scouts was based on the recommendation ofMirs andRajas of the area. Close relatives of Mirs and Rajas were given directViceroy commissions in Gilgit scouts.[citation needed]
After theIndependence of Pakistan, the Gilgit Scouts rebelled against the authority ofJammu and Kashmir and participated in theFirst Kashmir War. According to MajorWilliam Brown, its commanding officer, there was a secret plan among a few members of Gilgit Scouts to set up a "Republic ofGilgit-Astor(e)" when they ousted the governor of Gilgit representing the Maharaja's government on 1 November 1947. HistorianAhmad Hasan Dani, a member of the Shina community which is the majority ethno-linguistic group of theGilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan,[10] mentions that although there was lack of public participation in the rebellion, pro-Pakistan sentiments were intense in the civilian population and their anti-Kashmiri sentiments were also clear.[11] On 2 November, the Pakistani flag was raised on the old tower in the Gilgit Scout Lines, under the command of Major Brown.[12]
On 12 January 1948, the command was handed over to ColonelAslam Khan the first local commander of the Gilgit Scouts, under the authority of theAzad Jammu and Kashmir provisional government.[12]
After the conclusion of the First Kashmir War, the Gilgit Scouts operated as a paramilitary force in theNorthern Areas (now called Gilgit-Baltistan). In 1975, the force was amalgamated into theNorthern Light Infantry Regiment of the Pakistan Army, where the Gilgit Scouts became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the regiment.[13]
The force was re-raised in 2003 as theNorthern Area Scouts under command of Brigadier Inayat Wali. It quickly progressed and took over the responsibilities of Law and Order in Gilgit Baltistan. In 2011, the force was renamedGilgit Baltistan Scouts.[14]
