Srinagar, Sept. 17 -- Former Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat, 90, passed away after a brief illness this evening at his residence in Kashmir's Sopore, his family said.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq confirmed the news, describing Bhat as an affectionate elder and a visionary leader.
"Just heard the very sad news that I lost the affectionate elder, a dear friend and colleague, Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat Sahib, who passed away sometime ago. Kashmir has been bereft of a sincere and visionary leader...," Mirwaiz wrote on X.
Born in Botengo, a village about 10 kilometres from Sopore, Bhat began his career as an academician before entering politics. He studied Persian, economics, and political science at Sri Pratap College, Sri...