Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Thursday morning. He was 79, according to NDTV.

Mr Sayeed had been in hospital for two weeks and was being treated for a lung infection. He was put on ventilator support yesterday after his condition worsened.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the Mufti at the Palam airport in Delhi. He had earlier tweeted: "Mufti Sahab provided a healing touch to J&K through his leadership. He will be missed by all of us. Condolences to his family & supporters (SIC)."

He founded the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and led a coalition government with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP in Kashmir.

Source: MENA