It was officially established in 2001 as Puntland Intelligence Service during the rule of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, with assistance from the United States.

Its responsibilities include surveillance, investigation and arrest of suspected terrorists; monitoring of ports and airports; protection of foreigners.

[5] On February 26, 2012, the self-proclaimed leader of the Galgala militants reaffirmed their allegiance with Al-Qaeda.

[6] The Puntland Intelligence Agency is trained and supported by US counter-terrorism agencies via their branches in Djibouti and is currently the strongest armed wing of Puntland's security apparatus.

[5][7] 23 dec 2022 The President of Puntland replaced Mukhtar Jeyte and appointed Jamal Arab Yusuf