Atmosphere of fear has ended and people of all ages can move around freely, the top cop said. (File)
Only 10 local youths joined terrorist ranks in 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir against 110 during the previous year, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said on Tuesday as he appealed to the ultras to give up violence and return to the mainstream.
Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has been "almost finished" and its "remnants" will be eliminated soon, Mr Singh told reporters after visiting Mata Badrakali Temple at Handwara in Kupwara district.
"This year only 10 (local) youths have joined terrorists. Last year, 110 had become terrorists. How good it would have been if none had joined the ranks because even among the 10, six have been killed and the remaining four will also get killed.
"They should leave the path of violence and come back," he said.
Mr Singh said terrorists also have families and such killings don't bring any happiness to security forces.
"I also want to say that it is not as if we feel happy about the death of terrorists. They also belong to a family. We want that if anyone has left the path of peace should come back and drop his weapons to lead a normal life," he added The DGP said there has been a great change in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir over the last five years.
"Terrorism, which had struck like a calamity on the entire Jammu and Kashmir, has been almost finished and whatever remnants are left will be eliminated soon.
"The atmosphere of fear has ended and people of all ages can move around freely. Today we have times of peace and happiness," he said.
North Kashmir is almost free of terrorism, he said, adding, "There is no active terrorist but there are a few odd floating terrorists who keep moving from one place to another. They will also be eliminated."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)