Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha on Friday condoled the demise of BJP leader and MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana, who passed away last late night in a private hospital.

As per the news agency CNS, “Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji’s untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress,” PM Narendra Modi said.

He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti, he added in his X post.

CM Omar Abdullah Abdullah, while struggling to come to terms with the death of Rana, in a post on X said, “The terrible news from late last night isn’t really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories.”

“You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them,” he added in the X post.

On the passing away of Rana, Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha said, “I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji. In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic & widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over the sudden passing of Devender Singh Rana, a senior BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir.

Condolences poured in from all sides and from political leaders across party lines.