Jammu, Fe Feb 24 (IANS): Veteran National Conference (NC) leader and uncle of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, Sheikh Nazir passed away Tuesday in winter capital Jammu. He was 84.

Sheikh Nazir had been admitted to government medical college hospital in winter capital Jammu Sunday. He was put on life support system following deterioration of his health condition.

Omar Abdullah had visited the hospital Monday evening to enquire about his uncle's health.

Nephew of NC founder late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, said Sheikh Nazir ruled the party as its general secretary for nearly three decades.

A confirmed bachelor and a highly respected gentleman, he was very close to NC patron and his cousin Farooq Abdullah.

It was generally believed in Jammu and Kashmir that most of Abdullah's crucial political and even administrative decisions were influenced by his cousin.

Omar Abdullah said in winter capital Jammu Tuesday that as per the wishes of Sheikh Nazir, he would be buried in the family's ancestral graveyard in Soura area of Srinagar Tuesday afternoon.