Syed Ali Shah Geelani: Life of controversial anti-India leader of Jammu & Kashmir - in pics

A three-time MLA, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, an avowed supporter of Pakistan, dominated separatist politics for over three decades and was dubbed as 'hartal man' for giving frequent bandh calls as part of a strategy to vitiate law-and-order situation in the Kashmir valley.

(Pic: Reuters)

The hardline separatist died at the age of 91 at his residence in Srinagar on Wednesaday (September 1) night after a prolonged illness. He was buried in a mosque near his house located at Hyderpora, in outskirts of the city, with some close family members attending the funeral.

The picture shows a deserted view of Lal Chowk following restrictions after the death of Geelani in Srinagar. 

A soft-spoken man with a white flowing beard, Geelani was among the last few leaders from the pre-Partition era who never believed in moderate separatism and was vocal against any peace moves during his association with Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of 26 parties formed in 1993.

(Pic: ANI)

Geelani for years led an umbrella alliance of secessionists known as the Hurriyat Conference. But the group split in 2003, when hardliners led by Geelani, who advocated Kashmir's merger with Pakistan, walked out after moderates decided to hold talks with New Delhi. He was kept under house arrest for more than a decade after leading several anti-India protests.

(Pic: ANI)

The hardliner was often seen angry with Pakistan when it talked about building a healthy relationship with India and he had a face-off with former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in New Delhi in 2005 over his four-point plan to resolve Kashmir dispute, which included having soft borders between two parts of the Kashmir.