Former chief of Indian army Gen KV Krishna Rao, who played a key role in Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, died in New Delhi yesterday at the military hospital following a cardiac arrest.

He was 92. He also served as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir at a time when militancy was at its peak in the Indian state.

Rao had commanded a division of the army during the Liberation War and was instrumental in the capture of Sylhet and liberation of North-East Bangladesh, an army statement said.

He had also participated in the 1947-48 war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. He was a founder instructor of the National Defence Academy during 1949-51.

In a statement of condolence, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said with the death of Rao, the country has lost one of its best known military leaders.

He said Rao's contributions in the 1971 war and maintaining the unity and integrity of the country shall always be remembered.