Veteran journalist Padma Bhushan Balraj Puri passed away after prolonged illness at a Government Medical College here on Saturday.
He was 86. He is survived by his wife, daughter and journalist son Luv Puri. His cremation will take place at Jogi Gate in Jammu on Sunday, family said.
Mr. Puri was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the fields of Literature and Education in 2005 and also the Indira Gandhi award for national integration on October 31, 2009.
He was an author and co-author of about 40 books and approximately 1,000 articles for various dailies in India and abroad.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra has expressed grief over the demise of Mr. Puri. The Governor spoke to his daughter and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family.
