Former Jammu & Kashmir and Assam Governor lt Gen SK Sinha passed away at a hospital here this morning after a brief illness. His family said he passed away at 10:45 am at the Army Research and Referral hospital. He was 92.
Those who condoled his death included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and his son and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Sinha was first admitted to the base hospital here on November 1 with a fracture in his femur bone and ribs and was later shifted to the R and R hospital after some complications developed.
He is survived by his wife, son and IFS officer YK Sinha who is at present Indian Ambassador to Sri lanka and is moving for his new posting to the UK, and three daughters.
His funeral will take place on Thursday at the Brar Square crematorium here.
lt Gen Sinha led the first batch of Indian troops who entered J&K when Pakistan raiders invaded in 1947. He resigned from service after the Government superseded him and appointed General AS Vaidya as the new army chief. He also served as India’s Ambassador to Nepal and as the Governor of Assam.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of lt Gen (retd) Srinivas K Sinha, former Governor of J&K and Assam,” Modi tweeted. “Had the opportunity of meeting lt Gen (retd) Srinivas K Sinha just a few days ago. His service to our nation will always be remembered,” he said in another tweet.