Srinagar June 02 (KNS): Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari; Former Cabinet Minister and Senior Vice President of the party Gulam Hassan Mir; and JKAP’s Vice President and former legislator Zaffar Iqbal Manhas have expressed their grief and sorrow over the death of the legendary Santoor maestro and renowned music composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori who passed away on Thursday in a hospital in Gurgaon. Sopori was not keeping well for quite a long time.

In a statement issued here, JKAP President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while expressing his grief over the demise of Pandit Bhajan Sopori said, “This is an irreparable loss not only to his family but also to the entire people of the Valley. We all are grieved over the passing away of this son of the soil, who has earned his name and fame across the globe due to his God gifted talent. May his soul rest in peace and May Almighty give enough strength to the bereaved family to bear the pain of his departure?”

Party’s Senior Vice President Gulam Hassan Mir, in his condolence message, has said, “It was shocking to learn about the death of Pandit Bhajan Sopori. I am deeply saddened.”
He added, “Pandit Bhajan Sopori despite his worldwide popularity would love Kashmir and the people of Kashmir. We will miss him too.” Mir prayed for the departed soul and paid his condolences to the family of Pandit Sopori.

Meanwhile, JKAP’s Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas has expressed his deep sense of grief over the death of Pandit Bhajan Sopori. He said, “Today, we have lost someone who had us proud. His fan following and the number of people who loved him for his talent are beyond the Valley and mainland India. He was an internationally acclaimed Santoor maestro. People irrespective of their religion, region, and ethnicity would love this son of the soil. I am grieved. My condolences to the family of Sopori Sahib”(KNS)