Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla on Thursday expressed condolences over the demise of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, saying that he died when he was "needed the most".
"Today, when the threat of terrorism looms large over us, he could effectively handled the situation and also give useful inputs to the central government. His death is an irreparable loss to the country and Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said in a message from Chicago, where she is on a personal visit.
She said Sayeed was a leader with a vision and provided great leadership in the terrorism-hit state.
"Mufti Sayeed was one of the most popular leaders of Jammu and Kashmir. He rendered exemplary services to the state and the nation during his long political tenure. He had a deep understanding of the problems of Jammu and Kashmir," Heptulla said.
Sayeed, who was also India's first Muslim home minister, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital on Thursday.