CDS General Bipin Rawat dies in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu.
Indian Chief of the Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, passed away on Wednesday after an aircraft of the military struck a tree in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor which killed 13 people. In addition, the wife of CDS Rawat, who was traveling with him, was dead.
“With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs. Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted.
Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
The Air Force said that the injured group Captain Varun Singh is being treated in a military hospital in Wellington.
General Bipin Rawat dies in a chopper crash
The Air Force had earlier confirmed that the Russian-built Mi-17 V5 helicopter that had CDS Rawat onboard had “met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.” The IAF also confirmed it had requested an investigation into what had transpired.
“I am deeply grieved by the crash of the helicopter within Tamil Nadu in which we been able to lose Gen Bipin Rawat as well as his wife and other members of the Armed Forces. They have served India with great vigilance. My thoughts are with the grieving families.” PM Modi tweeted.
Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, posted condolences via Twitter. The president wrote on Twitter, “I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland were marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family.”
General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and others killed in the crash are scheduled to reach Delhi in the next few hours.
It is reported that the Indian Air Force has announced the death of CDS General Bipin Rawat and 12 others killed in a helicopter crash.
The Prime Minister’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will take place at 6:30 pm to address the current situation resulting from an army helicopter accident that had General Rawat and other officers aboard on Wednesday, near Coonoor within Tamil Nadu.
The gathering is expected to be attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.
13 of 14 individuals involved in the military helicopter accident within Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. The identities of the dead bodies will be confirmed via DNA testing as reported by the ANI.
The Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced that he would be going to a military helicopter crash that involved CDS Bipin Rawat.
“I am deeply shocked and disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat, and 13 others have met with an accident near Coonoor,” the TN CM wrote on Twitter.
“I’ve instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I’m rushing to the spot,” Stalin said.
Tamil Nadu State forest minister K Ramachandran said that five of the 14 passengers aboard the chopper that carried General Rawat were confirmed dead Two others were seriously injured.
Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following the Air Force helicopter with CDS Rawat and his wife and some other officers involved in an accident near Coonoor located in Tamil Nadu.
According to reports, Singh has informed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the morning crash. The Indian Air Force chief has been asked to visit the scene.
Meanwhile, IAF Chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari has reached the Sulur airport in Tamil Nadu.
Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh is expected to address the Parliament on the IAF helicopter crash within the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu today. Singh is likely to release an announcement in a short period.
The bodies of four people have now been found. According to a PTI report, three injured people have been rescued from an IAF helicopter accident site located within Tamil Nadu.
The video footage showed rescue workers smothering erupting wreckage in a wooded area. “An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF announced in an official tweet.
According to reports, three to four senior officials were aboard. CDS Bipin Rawat and his staff and family members were reported to be present on the Mi-series helicopter.
The Chief of Defence Staff was going to the Defence Staff College in Wellington.
#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
The military personnel from the area have arrived at the scene and received information that locals have brought two bodies with over 80 percent burns to a nearby hospital.
In addition, there are a few bodies on the ground in the vicinity of the incident. An effort is underway to recover the bodies and confirm their identities.
The helicopter was heading towards its home base at the Sulur IAF base, to Defence Services College (DSC) in Wellington when it fell off.
As per reports, the incident occurred in the Nanjappanchathiram region, which is believed to be due to low visibility and heavy fog.
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