The Railway Protection Force officer in Budgam who had issued a letter about the 'deteriorating situation' in Jammu and Kashmir has been transferred, sources said on Monday.

In the letter, the RPF assistant security commissioner (Budgam), Sudesh Nugyal, asked employees to stock up on rations for at least four months, store drinking water for seven days and fill vehicles fully to deal with law and order for a long period as there is a 'forecast of deteriorating situation' in Kashmir. 'The officer who had issued the order has been transferred,' a source close to the developments told PTI.

The letter caused alarm and was shared widely on social media, including by former chief minister Omar Abdullah who questioned the motive behind such a missive.

The railways, however, clarified that the communication had no basis and the official had no authority to issue it.