Srinagar, Sep 19 (Reporter) Kashmir’s first Muslim to crack prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Mohammad Shafi Pandit, 80, died on Thursday. Family sources said Pandit, a 1969 batch IAS officer and a former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Commission (JKPSC), was admitted to a hospital in Delhi about a month ago. “My beloved uncle, Former JKPSC Chairman and Addl Chief Secretary of J&K, Muhammad Shafi Pandit Sahab, passed away a short while back in Delhi after a very brief spell of illness,” the former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu said in a post on X. Pandit was the first Kashmir Muslim to crack an IAS in 1969 and stood fifth in the all-India rankings. During his first visit to the state after qualifying for the civil services, the then chief minister personally welcomed him at the airport. After his retirement, Pandit devoted himself to various social causes. The former IAS officer’s death has been widely mourned. Congress Member of Parliament and General Secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said Pandit was soft-spoken and extremely gentle. “My good friend of many years. Mohammed Shafi Pandit, has just passed away. He was a 1969-batch IAS officer who occupied important positions with distinction, both in J&K and at the Centre. After retirement, he devoted himself to various public causes and emerged as a leading voice of civil society. Soft-spoken and extremely gentle by nature, he epitomised the glorious composite heritage of J&K and was a role model for youth from the Valley to join the civil services,” Ramesh said in a post on X. Dean & Professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Amitabh Mattoo said Pandit was a distinguished civil servant. “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Jenab Shafi Pandit Sahib, a distinguished civil servant, a dear neighbour and fine gentleman - a true Khandani! RIP!,” he said on X. “A person of unparalleled qualities with strong convictions least bothered about cultivating an image usually sought after by careerists in different walks of life,” Latief U Zaman Deva, a retired IAS officer and former Chairperson of the JKPSC said. Former minister Haseeb Drabu said Pandit was a role model. “A role model in his youth, an icon in his middle age and a guide as a senior citizen, M S Pandit, IAS, influenced many generations of Kashmiris, including mine. Proud of his personal lineage and professional legacy, he was the leading light of our clan. RIP.” He posted on X. District Magistrate & District Development Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan Pandit said Pandit inspired so many of them to join civil services. “I have been in constant touch with him for almost past 9 years now and have always found him to be a humble and an extremely generous human being,” he posted on X...////...