GILGIT: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has been officially established in Gilgit-Baltistan, with a dedicated police station now operational in Gilgit to handle terrorism-related cases across the region.
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According to a statement from the Gilgit-Baltistan Police, the CTD has begun operations with 250 officers and personnel, while recruitment for an additional 600 posts is expected to be completed this year to strengthen the unit’s capacity. Assistance from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be sought to provide basic training and professional skill development for CTD personnel in the region.
A major step has been taken to strengthen security in Gilgit-Baltistan as a dedicated Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has been formally established. #PakistanConnect pic.twitter.com/JRDabPlu26
— Pakistan Connect (@Pak_Connect) February 14, 2026
SSP Tanveerul Hassan has been appointed as head of the CTD Gilgit-Baltistan. The CTD consists of four wings — investigation, intelligence, operations, and administration — and all counterterrorism-related FIRs registered so far have been transferred to the new station. The unit has already registered the case concerning Thursday’s attack on a Frontier Works Organisation vehicle in Tangir valley, Diamer.
The federal government approved the establishment of the CTD in September last year, authorising 613 new posts to combat terrorism, particularly along the strategic Karakoram Highway. The Central Development Working Party had estimated the project to cost over Rs1.5 billion, aimed at addressing critical gaps in human and technical resources to improve investigative and operational capabilities.
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However, funding challenges remain, with recurring expenses for the new posts falling on the resource-strapped Gilgit-Baltistan government and construction funds deferred to the next fiscal year. The project is sponsored by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions to bolster the region’s counterterrorism infrastructure.