The phrase "small contingent" means a small group or a few people.
Sentences with «small contingent»
Maybe that was directed a very particular, very small contingent of people. (sbnation.com)
He meets Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the White House this week and is expected to press for immunity from prosecution as a condition for allowing even a relatively small contingent of U.S. troops to stay behind in Afghanistan after the 2014 drawdown. (cnbc.com)