# Defence Security Force

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Not to be confused with [Defence Security Corps](/source/Defence_Security_Corps).

The **Defence Security Force** (**DSF**),[a] formerly known as the **Defence Services Guards** (**DSG**), is a [paramilitary organization](/source/Paramilitary) of Pakistan responsible for safeguarding national institutions, military establishments and [installations](/source/Military_installation) across the country. While it operates under the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(Pakistan)) and works alongside the [military](/source/Pakistan_Armed_Forces), the DSF primarily focuses on [law enforcement](/source/Law_enforcement) and protection duties rather than [direct combat operations](/source/Combat_operations_process). The force plays a central role, particularly in domestic matters, in maintaining [national security](/source/National_security), with its [counterterrorism](/source/Counterterrorism) training coordinated by the [army](/source/Pakistan_Army).

It served as a [special security entity](/source/Special_police) of the country until [chief of Army Staff](/source/Chief_of_the_Army_Staff_(Pakistan)) [General Qamar Javed Bajwa](/source/General_Qamar_Javed_Bajwa) implemented a comprehensive policy between 2016 and 2022 to incorporate the DSG into the army. The policy sought to restructure the force, define its mission and roles, and standardize its [pay scale](/source/Pay_scale) with that of the regular army to improve efficiency. However, the precise nature of the DSF's accountability to the army remains unclear.

## History

The DSF was originally established in 1923 when the [Special Constables Act](/source/Special_Constables_Act_1923) led to the formation of the [Army Department of Constabulary](/source/Army_Department_Constabulary) under the [British colonial administration](/source/British_India).[1][2] This force was primarily tasked with providing security for military installations, while local police forces handled the protection of other sites. In 1925, the [War Department Constabulary](/source/War_Department_Constabulary) was created to further restructure this role, and in 1946, it was renamed the Defense Department Constabulary (DDC). The force, composed mostly of retired soldiers from [World War II](/source/World_War_II), was stationed in [Shimla](/source/Shimla) during the [British colonial period](/source/British_Empire).[1]

Following the [creation of Pakistan](/source/Creation_of_Pakistan) in 1947, the newly formed nation inherited several British institutions, including the DDC. The force was restructured under the Ministry of Defense and renamed the Ministry of Defense Constabulary (MODC), with its training center established in [Multan](/source/Multan). In 1956, the training center was relocated to [Dera Ismail Khan](/source/Dera_Ismail_Khan), and the force continued to operate under the [General Headquarters](/source/General_Headquarters_(Pakistan_Army)) (GHQ) until 1978. That year, the MODC was placed under the General Staff (GS) Branch, further incorporating it into Pakistan's military structure.[1]

In 1993, the force was renamed the Defense Services Guards (DSG), restructuring its operational responsibilities once again. By 1995, the MODC Directorate was merged with the DSG, creating a dual structure with both command and administrative responsibilities. The force was involved in securing national institutions and supporting military operations, further distancing itself from its colonial roots.[1]

In March 2019, the DSG was renamed the Defense Security Force (DSF), restructuring it to better match its operational focus and purpose. Its structure was [modernized](/source/Military_technology), and it participated for the first time in the [Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade](/source/Pakistan_Day_Parade) (JS Pak Day Parade) on 23 March 2019.[1]

## Role and responsibilities

The DSG, before being incorporated into the army and renamed to DSF, was tasked with providing [security](/source/Security) and [escort services](/source/Police_escort) for various [strategic installations](/source/Military_base) in Pakistan. This included safeguarding critical sites such as [Air Force bases](/source/List_of_Pakistan_Air_Force_bases), [military depots](/source/Logistics_center), the [Directorate General](/source/Director-General_of_Inter-Services_Intelligence) of the [Inter-Services Intelligence](/source/Inter-Services_Intelligence) (ISI), [Special Communications Organization](/source/Special_Communications_Organization) (SCO), [Heavy Industries Taxila](/source/Heavy_Industries_Taxila), [Pakistan Ordnance Factories](/source/Pakistan_Ordnance_Factories), [Karachi Nuclear Power Plant](/source/Karachi_Nuclear_Power_Plant) (KANNUP),[3] and [Pakistan Petroleum Limited](/source/Pakistan_Petroleum_Limited) (PPL).[4] It is believed that the DSF continues to perform these duties in addition to safeguarding military installations and engaging in the [ongoing war on terror](/source/Pakistan_in_the_war_on_terror).[3]

The DSF also functions as a paramilitary element of the Pakistan Air Force Police (AFP) and operates alongside the [rapid reaction team](/source/Rapid_reaction_force) (QRF) of the Air Force commandos.[5]

## Operations

While the DSF has primarily been responsible for static and escort duties at critical installations throughout Pakistan, it also participated in the [Indo-Pakistani war of 1971](/source/Indo-Pakistani_war_of_1971). During the conflict, the DSF was tasked with protecting military installations in both [East](/source/East_Pakistan) and [West Pakistan](/source/West_Pakistan).

## Structure

The structure of the DSF is not widely documented; however, its staff committee is headquartered at [GHQ](/source/General_Headquarters_(Pakistan_Army)) [Rawalpindi](/source/Rawalpindi). The departmental structure includes a committee known as the Departmental Selection/Promotion Committee (DSC/DPC), responsible for the selection and promotion of posts in BS-01 to BS-15. This committee is chaired by a [brigadier](/source/Brigadier) and includes a deputy secretary from the Ministry of Defence and a [lieutenant colonel](/source/Lieutenant_colonel) or [colonel](/source/Colonel) as members.[6]

## Insignia

Until 2019, the DSG Corps badge featured traditional [insignia](/source/Insignia) and tri-color design of [red](/source/Red), [sky blue](/source/Sky_blue), and sea blue, along with the [badge](/source/Badge) representing the [Army](/source/Pakistan_Army), [Air Force](/source/Pakistan_Air_Force), and [Navy](/source/Pakistan_Navy). The design suggested the combined presence of these services within the DSF.[3] The recent insignia features a logo with "pasban" (lit. 'guardian, watchman, defenders'), inscribed on it,[1] which serves as the [motto](/source/Motto) of the force.[3]

The emblem features wings, representing the Air Force; an [anchor](/source/Anchor), representing the Navy; and crossed swords along with a [crescent](/source/Crescent) and star, representing the Army.[3]

In March 2019, following the renaming of the DSG to the Defence Security Force (DSF), the [shoulder titles](/source/Shoulder_mark) and [cap badges](/source/Cap_badge) were redesigned and reorganized, though the specific details of these changes remain unclear.[1]

## Awards and decorations

The force was awarded Tamgha-e-Shujaat (Medal of Courage) and the [Tamgha-e-Basalat](/source/Tamgha-e-Basalat) (Medal of Excellence), in recognition of its contributions to the national interest of Pakistan.[7][1]

## Footnotes

1. , ɖeːfɛns seːkɪˈjʊrɪʈiː foːrs; Pronounced in English as /dɪˈfɛnssɪˈkjʊərɪtifɔːrs/.

## References

1. ["تاریخ کے آئینے میں"](https://www.hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=4031). *Hilal Publications*. Retrieved 25 Dec 2024.

1. Sheikh, Irfan (4 Mar 2016). ["500 officials complete counter-terror course"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/1059648/fifth-batch-500-officials-complete-counter-terror-course?amp=1). *The Express Tribune*. Retrieved 26 Dec 2024.

1. ["DEFENCE SERVICES GUARD"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170427200854/http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/defence-services-guard/). *[Pakistan Army Museum](/source/Pakistan_Army_Museum)*. 30 May 2017. Archived from [the original](http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/defence-services-guard/) on 27 Apr 2017. Retrieved 27 Dec 2024.

1. ["Gas supply from Sui suspended"](https://www.brecorder.com/news/amp/3119237). *Brecorder*. 12 Jan 2005. Retrieved 28 Dec 2024.

1. Thorat, S. (2014). [*Operation 'Fox-Hunt'*](https://books.google.com/books?id=K7mqDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA7) (in Danish). Srishti Publishers. p. 7. ISBN 978-93-82665-15-1. Retrieved 28 Dec 2024.

1. ["Statutory Notifications (S. R. O.) Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Defence (Defence Division) Notification Rawalpindi, September, 2021"](http://www.pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/1291%2821%29Ex%20Gaz-II.pdf). *Printing Corporation of Pakistan*. Ministry of Defence. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220719052416/http://www.pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/1291(21)Ex%20Gaz-II.pdf) 19 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["President approves grant of awards to personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces"](https://www.brecorder.com/news/250870). *Brecorder*. 10 Aug 2015. Retrieved 25 Dec 2024.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Defence Security Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Security_Force) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Security_Force?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.