Kashmir cardiologist succumbs to gunshot wounds

Well known Kashmiri cardiologist Sheikh Jalal, who was shot by gunmen July 18, died Saturday in New Delhi, officials said. He was 65.

Officials said the cardiologist, a former director of the prestigious super specialty Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura (SKIMS), passed away Saturday morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where he was under treatment.

The body will be flown back to the Kashmir Valley for burial, sources said here.

Sheikh Jalal had been attacked July 18 by gunmen in Pampore, his ancestral town in south Kashmir.

Two armed guards detailed for the doctor's protection also died in the attack.

Jalal was shifted to Delhi for treatment last month. He had been on life support for nearly a month.

No guerrilla group claimed responsibility for the attack, which left people whom the doctor had served for over 35 years in shock.

Doctors and other staff at SKIMS will hold a condolence meeting in the hospital Saturday.