Dir Scouts

Not to be confused with Dir Levies.

Dir Scouts
Founded1970[1]
Country Pakistan
BranchCivil Armed Forces
Size6 wings
Part ofFrontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North)
HQCentral Dir
Commanders
CommandantColonel Qadeer Ahmad

The Dir Scouts is a paramilitary regiment forming part of the Pakistani Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) in Pakistan.[2]: 730  The name alludes to the former Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The regiment has a 2020/21 budget of Rs. 2.047 billion[3] and is composed of a headquarters wing with six battalion-sized manoeuvre wings.

The Scouts are tasked with defending the border with Afghanistan and assisting with law enforcement in the areas adjacent to the border.[4] This has also included providing security during provincial assembly elections.[5] Previously, the Scouts also assisted with attempts to eradicate poppy cultivation.[6]

During the 2022 Pakistan floods, the regiment assisted with rescue work and disaster relief, such as operating an emergency control centre.[7]

Units

  • Headquarters Wing
  • 181 Wing[2]: 731 
  • 182 Wing[2]: 731 
  • 183 Wing[2]: 731 
  • 184 Wing[8]: 516 
  • 185 Wing[9]
  • 186 Wing[2]: 732 

References

  1. ^ South Asia Defence and Strategic Year Book. Panchsheel. 2009. p. 284. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III" (PDF). Government of Pakistan. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Federal Budget 2020–2021: Details of demands for grants and appropriations" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. p. 2532. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  4. ^ Haleem Asad (27 August 2021). "Dir Scouts man martyred in attack". Dawn. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Women remain indoors as JI wins Dir by-poll". Dawn. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  6. ^ Sreedhar, Mahendra Ved (2000). Afghan Buzkashi: Power Games and Gamesmen. Vol. 2. Wordsmiths. p. 125. ISBN 9788187412014. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Pakistan Army Aviation teams evacuate 110 stranded people in Swat". Radio Pakistan. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  8. ^ "The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III" (PDF). Government of Pakistan. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  9. ^ "The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III" (PDF). Government of Pakistan. 19 August 2020. p. 659. Retrieved 12 December 2022.