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{{Short description|Paramilitary force of Pakistan}}
{{Distinguish|Defence Security Corps}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Defence Security Force
| native_name                   = 
| image                         = 
| image_size                    = 
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 1947–present
| start_date                    = {{Start date and age|1947}}
| allegiance                    = Pakistan
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Paramilitary]]
| role                          = Protection of national institutions, [[:Category:Military units and formations of Pakistan|military establishments]] and [[military installation|installation]]s
| size                          = Unidentified
| command_structure             = [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defence]]
| garrison                      = [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan
| current_commander             = Major General [[Arshad Mehmood (officer)|Arshad Mehmood]]
| commander1_label              = Director General
| notable_commanders            = 
| nickname                      = 
| march                         = 
| motto                         = "Pasban" ({{lit|Guardian, Defenders}})
| colors                        = Red, sky blue and sea blue<br />{{color box|#FF0000}}&nbsp;{{color box|#87CEEB}}&nbsp;{{color box|#C2DFFF}}
| colours_label                 = Colours
| equipment                     = 
| battles                       = [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]]
| decoration                    = 
}}
The '''Defence Security Force''' ('''DSF'''),{{efn|{{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|ڈیفنس سیکیورٹی فورس}}}}, {{IPA|ur|ɖeːfɛns seːkɪˈjʊrɪʈiː foːrs}}; Pronounced in English as {{IPAc-en|d|ɪ|ˈ|f|ɛ|n|s|_|s|ɪ|ˈ|k|j|ʊər|ɪ|t|i|_|f|ɔː|r|s}}.}} formerly known as the '''Defence Services Guards''' ('''DSG'''), is a paramilitary organization of Pakistan responsible for safeguarding national institutions, [[:Category:Military units and formations of Pakistan|military establishments]] and installations across the country. While it operates under the Ministry of Defence and works alongside the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]], the DSF primarily focuses on [[law enforcement]] and protection duties rather than [[combat operations process|direct combat operation]]s. The force plays a central role, particularly in domestic matters, in maintaining [[national security]], with its [[counterterrorism]] training coordinated by the [[Pakistan Army|army]].

It served as a [[Special police|special security entity]] of the country until [[Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan)|chief of Army Staff]] [[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]] 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 1923|Special Constables Act]] led to the formation of the [[Army Department Constabulary|Army Department of Constabulary]] under the [[British India|British colonial administration]].<ref name="x086">{{cite web | title=تاریخ کے آئینے میں | website=Hilal Publications | url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=4031 | access-date=25 Dec 2024}}</ref><ref name="n158">{{cite web | last=Sheikh | first=Irfan | title=500 officials complete counter-terror course | website=The Express Tribune | date=4 Mar 2016 | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1059648/fifth-batch-500-officials-complete-counter-terror-course?amp=1 | access-date=26 Dec 2024}}</ref> 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]] 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]], was stationed in [[Shimla]] during the [[British Empire|British colonial period]].<ref name="x086"/>

Following the [[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]]. In 1956, the training center was relocated to [[Dera Ismail Khan]], and the force continued to operate under the [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|General Headquarters]] (GHQ) until 1978. That year, the MODC was placed under the General Staff (GS) Branch, further incorporating it into Pakistan's military structure.<ref name="x086"/>

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.<ref name="x086"/>

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 [[military technology|modernized]], and it participated for the first time in the [[Pakistan Day Parade|Joint Services Pakistan Day Parade]] (JS Pak Day Parade) on 23 March 2019.<ref name="x086"/>

== Role and responsibilities ==
The DSG, before being incorporated into the army and renamed to DSF, was tasked with providing [[security]] and [[police escort|escort service]]s for various [[Military base|strategic installations]] in Pakistan. This included safeguarding critical sites such as [[List of Pakistan Air Force bases|Air Force bases]], [[logistics center|military depot]]s, the [[Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence|Directorate General]] of the [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (ISI), [[Special Communications Organization]] (SCO), [[Heavy Industries Taxila]], [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]], [[Karachi Nuclear Power Plant]] (KANNUP),<ref name="r872"/> and [[Pakistan Petroleum Limited]] (PPL).<ref name="u370">{{cite web | title=Gas supply from Sui suspended | website=Brecorder | date=12 Jan 2005 | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/amp/3119237 | access-date=28 Dec 2024}}</ref> It is believed that the DSF continues to perform these duties in addition to safeguarding military installations and engaging in the [[Pakistan in the war on terror|ongoing war on terror]].<ref name="r872">{{cite web | title=DEFENCE SERVICES GUARD | date=30 May 2017 | url=http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/defence-services-guard/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427200854/http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/defence-services-guard/ | archive-date=27 Apr 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=27 Dec 2024 |website= [[Pakistan Army Museum]]}}</ref>

The DSF also functions as a paramilitary element of the Pakistan Air Force Police (AFP) and operates alongside the [[rapid reaction force|rapid reaction team]] (QRF) of the Air Force commandos.<ref name="a384">{{cite book | last=Thorat | first=S. | title=Operation 'Fox-Hunt' | publisher=Srishti Publishers | year=2014 | isbn=978-93-82665-15-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7mqDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA7 | language=da | access-date=28 Dec 2024 | page=7}}</ref>

== 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. During the conflict, the DSF was tasked with protecting military installations in both [[East Pakistan|East]] and [[West Pakistan]].

== Structure ==
The structure of the DSF is not widely documented; however, its staff committee is headquartered at GHQ 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]] and includes a deputy secretary from the Ministry of Defence and a [[lieutenant colonel]] or [[colonel]] as members.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719052416/http://www.pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/1291(21)Ex%20Gaz-II.pdf |url=http://www.pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/1291%2821%29Ex%20Gaz-II.pdf |title=Statutory Notifications (S. R. O.) Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Defence (Defence Division) Notification Rawalpindi, September, 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2022 |website=Printing Corporation of Pakistan |publisher=Ministry of Defence}}</ref>

== Insignia ==
Until 2019, the DSG Corps badge featured traditional [[insignia]] and tri-color design of [[red]], [[sky blue]], and sea blue, along with the [[badge]] representing the Army, [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]]. The design suggested the combined presence of these services within the DSF.<ref name="r872"/> The recent insignia features a logo with "pasban" ({{lit|guardian, watchman, defenders}}), inscribed on it,<ref name="x086"/> which serves as the [[motto]] of the force.<ref name="r872"/>

The emblem features wings, representing the Air Force; an [[anchor]], representing the Navy; and crossed swords along with a [[crescent]] and star, representing the Army.<ref name="r872"/>

In March 2019, following the renaming of the DSG to the Defence Security Force (DSF), the [[shoulder insignia]] and [[cap badge]]s were redesigned and reorganized, though the specific details of these changes remain unclear.<ref name="x086"/>

== Awards and decorations ==
The force was awarded Tamgha-e-Shujaat (Medal of Courage) and the [[Tamgha-e-Basalat]] (Medal of Excellence), in recognition of its contributions to the national interest of Pakistan.<ref name="l347">{{cite web | title=President approves grant of awards to personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces | website=Brecorder | date=10 Aug 2015 | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/250870 | access-date=25 Dec 2024}}</ref><ref name="x086"/>

== Footnotes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Civil Armed Forces}}
{{Pakistan Armed Forces}}

[[Category:Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Pakistan]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]
[[Category:Military of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
[[Category:Military in Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Government paramilitary forces]]
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