Gilgit Scouts

Gilgit Scouts
Insignia of the Gilgit Scouts
Active	1913–1975
Country	Pakistan
Type	Paramilitary
Nickname(s)	Northern Battalion
Engagements	First Kashmir War 1947 Gilgit Rebellion Siege of Skardu
Commanders
Notable commanders	Major William Brown Brigadier Aslam Khan

The Gilgit Scouts were a paramilitary force within the Gilgit-Baltistan region in northern Pakistan. They were raised by the British Raj in 1913, on behalf of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, to police the Gilgit 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 of Major William Brown, the Gilgit Scouts staged a rebellion and overthrew the Governor of Gilgit under the Jammu and Kashmir state. The Muslim element of the State Forces based at Bunji joined the rebels. The Azad Kashmir provisional government took control of the force by sending Colonel Aslam Khan as its commander. The combined force conquered all of Baltistan, giving rise to the present day Gilgit-Baltistan.^[1]

The force was continued by Pakistan till 1975 when it was integrated into the Northern Light Infantry of the Pakistan Army.