The Puntland Security Force (PSF) is based in the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. Among PSF’s main functions are conducting crime scene analysis, capturing and eliminating high-level targets, and reconnaissance. PSF was formed solely to combat terrorism in the region and is independent from the Somali Federal government and the Puntland government. In 2002, amid concerns that al Qaeda elements were operating in East Africa, PIS (current day PSF & PIA) was established as a cooperation between the CIA and Puntland leadership.