India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, died on Wednesday after a military helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, killing 13 people on board. CDS Rawat's wife, travelling with him, was also killed.
India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, died on Wednesday after a military helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, killing 13 people on board. CDS Rawat's wife, travelling with him, was also killed.
"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) wrote on Twitter.
"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) wrote on Twitter.
The Air Force said Group Captain Varun Singh with injuries is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
The Air Force said Group Captain Varun Singh with injuries is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
The Air Force had earlier confirmed that a Russian-made Mi-17 V5 helicopter with CDS Rawat on board had "met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu". The IAF has also said that it had ordered an inquiry into what happened.
The Air Force had earlier confirmed that a Russian-made Mi-17 V5 helicopter with CDS Rawat on board had "met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu". The IAF has also said that it had ordered an inquiry into what happened.
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- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today.
- PM Narendra Modi tweets on General Rawat's death.
- PM Narendra Modi tweets on General Rawat's death.
“I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," PM Modi tweeted.
“I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," PM Modi tweeted.
- President Ram Nath Kovind offered condolences on Twitter. He wrote: "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 was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."
- President Ram Nath Kovind offered condolences on Twitter. He wrote: "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 was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."
- The moral remains of General Bipin Rawat, his wife, along with others killed in the crash, are expected to arrive in Delhi by tomorrow evening.
- The moral remains of General Bipin Rawat, his wife, along with others killed in the crash, are expected to arrive in Delhi by tomorrow evening.
- The Indian Air Force has announced the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat along with 12 others in chopper crash.
- The Indian Air Force has announced the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat along with 12 others in chopper crash.
- The Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is scheduled to meet at 6:30 pm to discuss the situation arising out of the crash of a military helicopter with General Rawat and several other officers on board on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
- The Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is scheduled to meet at 6:30 pm to discuss the situation arising out of the crash of a military helicopter with General Rawat and several other officers on board on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
The meeting will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah among others.
The meeting will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah among others.
- 13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. Identities of the bodies to be confirmed through DNA testing, reported ANI.
- 13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. Identities of the bodies to be confirmed through DNA testing, reported ANI.
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that he is going to the spot of the military chopper crash involving CDS Rawat. “I am deeply shocked and disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor," the TN CM wrote on Twitter.
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that he is going to the spot of the military chopper crash involving CDS Rawat. “I am deeply shocked and disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has 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 added.
“I've instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I'm rushing to the spot," Stalin added.
- Tamil Nadu State forest minister K Ramachandran earlier said that five of the 14 people on board the chopper carrying General Rawat have been confirmed killed, while two others are critically injured.
- Tamil Nadu State forest minister K Ramachandran earlier said that five of the 14 people on board the chopper carrying General Rawat have been confirmed killed, while two others are critically injured.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation after an Air Force helicopter with CDS Rawat, his wife and several other officers on board met with an accident near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation after an Air Force helicopter with CDS Rawat, his wife and several other officers on board met with an accident near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
- Reports said Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash and the Indian Air Force chief has been asked to reach the site.
- Reports said Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash and the Indian Air Force chief has been asked to reach the site.
- IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari is reaching the Sulur air base in Tamil Nadu.
- IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari is reaching the Sulur air base in Tamil Nadu.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to brief the Parliament over the IAF helicopter crash that happened in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu today. Singh is likely to make a statement in a short while from now.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to brief the Parliament over the IAF helicopter crash that happened in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu today. Singh is likely to make a statement in a short while from now.
- Four bodies have been recovered, three injured persons have been rescued from the IAF helicopter crash site in Tamil Nadu, according to a PTI report.
- Four bodies have been recovered, three injured persons have been rescued from the IAF helicopter crash site in Tamil Nadu, according to a PTI report.
- Video footage from showed rescue workers dousing a steaming wreckage in a wooded area. "An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF said in a tweet.
- Video footage from showed rescue workers dousing a steaming wreckage in a wooded area. "An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF said in a tweet.
- As per reports, 3-4 senior officials were on board. CDS Rawat, his staff and some family members were reportedly present in the Mi-series chopper.
- As per reports, 3-4 senior officials were on board. CDS Rawat, his staff and some family members were reportedly present in the Mi-series chopper.
- The Chief of Defence Staff was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington.
- The Chief of Defence Staff was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington.
- The local military officers have reached the location and were told that locals have taken two bodies with 80% burns to a nearby hospital. Few bodies can be seen downhill in the area of the accident. Efforts are on to retrieve the bodies and check identities.
- The local military officers have reached the location and were told that locals have taken two bodies with 80% burns to a nearby hospital. Few bodies can be seen downhill in the area of the accident. Efforts are on to retrieve the bodies and check identities.
- The chopper was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington when it crashed. The mishap happened at Nanjappanchathiram area reportedly due to poor visibility following heavy fog, according to reports.
- The chopper was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington when it crashed. The mishap happened at Nanjappanchathiram area reportedly due to poor visibility following heavy fog, according to reports.