Guwahati, June 22 (IANS): Khango Konyak, self-styled Lieutenant General (retired) of the NSCN-K, has been unanimously elected chief of the outlawed group, the militant outfit announced on Thursday.

The outfit's former chief S.S. Khaplang died on June 9 in Myanmar following illness. Although Konyak's name was doing the rounds for the top post, the formal announcement came only on Thursday, the group said.

Born on July 17, 1943, at Yangkhao village, Khango joined the Naga insurgent movement as a volunteer in 1963. 

Khango went to erstwhile East Pakistan in 1966 and then to China under late NSCN Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and the incumbent NSCN General Secretary Th. Muivah in 1977.

During his military career, Khango held many posts such as commander of units, battalions and brigades.

He served as Chairman of the Konyak region in 1989 and was elevated to Vice Chairman of NSCN-K on May 25, 2011.

Upon his election on Tuesday, Khango assured that he would serve as the NSCN-K chief solely in the interest of the Naga people to defend and uphold their sovereign rights, identity and dignity.