Pro-India leader of Kashmir

Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, a pro-India leader of Kashmir who tried to win over insurgent groups in the troubled region, died of pneumonia Thursday in a New Delhi hospital, his party leader said. He was 79.

Sayeed, who took over as the top elected official of the region in March last year, was hospitalized two weeks ago in the Indian capital. His death was announced by party leader and Kashmir state Education Minister Nayeem Akhter.

Sayeed is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son. Mehbooba Mufti, one of his daughters, is expected to succeed him as the chief minister of the Indian portion of Kashmir.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sayeed “provided a healing touch to Kashmir through his leadership.”

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir, the Himalayan region that has been divided between them since 1947. Mufti advocated a dialogue with Pakistan to settle the dispute, and sought to promote trade and travel between Kashmiris on both sides.

At the start of insurgency in the Indian portion of Kashmir in 1989, rebels abducted one of Sayeed’s daughters. He was India’s home minister then. His daughter was later freed in exchange for the release of five militants from prison by the Indian government.