India's troubled Jammu and Kashmir state was placed under the direct control of the federal government on Wednesday amid increasing instability and violence in the disputed region.
The move, approved by President Ram Nath Kovind, followed the decision of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to pull out of a coalition with the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The deteriorating security situation in the militancy-prone state had made the alliance untenable, the BJP said.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra will now take all key administrative decisions in the state as a representative of the Indian president, until a new coalition is formed or fresh elections are held.
The PDP is led by Mehbooba Mufti, who quit as chief minister following the BJP's pullout and favours reaching out to militants.
The Hindu nationalist BJP advocates a tougher approach to quell the insurgency in the Muslim-majority state.
Mufti said she resigned because "a muscular policy" would not work in Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to end the insurgency in Kashmir while campaigning for the 2014 general elections.
Federal rule in Jammu and Kashmir would give the BJP greater control in the state ahead of the next general elections due in 2019.
Mehbooba Mufti quit as chief minister following BJP's pullout.
