Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who postponed his visit to Jammu and Kashmir because of the October 13 by-elections, will be visiting the state from October 23, highly placed sources said in Delhi on Wednesday.

Patil, who was to begin his three-day visit from September 24, postponed it since the model code of conduct was in force, sources told PTI. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also postponed his September visit for the same reason.

During his visit, Patil will tour the border areas and hold meetings with officials in the valley.