DID Press: Government of Pakistan launched a dedicated counter‑terrorism unit in the strategically important northern region of Gilgit‑Baltistan as part of efforts to strengthen security and protect key transport routes.
The new Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) unit in Gilgit has begun operations with 250 officers and personnel, and authorities plan to recruit up to 600 additional staff by the end of the year to further enhance its capabilities.
Officials say the CTD’s establishment aims to improve intelligence coordination, strengthen security infrastructure, and ensure specialized handling of terrorism‑related cases across the region. Assistance from the established CTD units in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will support training and skills development for the new unit’s personnel.
The unit is expected to play a vital role in safeguarding major strategic arteries, including the Karakoram Highway, and has begun taking over active counter‑terrorism cases, including investigations into attacks in the region.
The move reflects Islamabad’s broader efforts to enhance security in its northern borderlands amid persistent challenges from militant threats and instability.