Aizawl: Former Mizoram chief minister Brig Thenphunga Sailo died here today, family sources said. Sailo (93) was rushed to the hospital at around 10 am and died there at 11.50 am after heart failure, its authorities said. He is survived by wife Thansiami, sons, daughters and grandchildren.

Born on January 1, 1922, Sailo had joined the British Indian army in 1942 as a junior officer. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier of Indian army in 1966, the year the erstwhile Mizo National Front (MNF) declared independence from the Union.