In a significant achievement, the number of active terrorists in Kashmir has come down to double digits. The disclosure was made by Jammu and Kashmir’s top cop Dilbag Singh during a visit to north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday, November 22. The DGP also reviewed the security situation in the north Kashmir district which was an epicentre of foreign terrorists only some months ago, due to its proximity with the Line of Control. That the number has shrunk to merely double digits signals the success of counter insurgency operations by security agencies in Kashmir. But there are signs of worry also. According to northern army commander, Lieutenant General Upendera Dwivedi, the total number of terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir is over 300. According to the top army commander in the union territory, there are 82 foreign terrorists and their 53 counterparts while a major chunk of 170 remain unidentified. This suggests that a sizeable number of terrorists may have managed to sneak into this part of Kashmir and they will likely try to whip up trouble and disturb the prevailing peace in the region. The Army figure also indicates that a good number of terrorists may be also present in Jammu region which had remained largely untouched by the violence in Kashmir and was declared free of terrorism until only some years ago. With the autumn season on its last legs, there will be fresh attempt by Pakistan to push more terrorists into Kashmir before the snow closes the treacherous passes that are used by terrorists to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir. As per the army’s assessment, there are more than 150 terrorists waiting on the various launch pads across the Line of Control. Once they get the nod from their handlers, they will be on the way to create trouble in the union territory. In such a situation, it is important that the security agencies don’t lower their guard. While the Border Security Forces need to step up the vigil along the International Border in Jammu, the Army and other security forces should tighten the anti-infiltration grid along the Line of Control. Besides, there is a need to step up counterinsurgency operations which have come down to some extent in recent weeks. If the foreign terrorists who have sneaked into Kashmir get time to settle down and revive their networks, it will undo the years of efforts and some significant gains made by the security establishment for eliminating terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.