CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife were among 13 killed in the chopper crash in Coonoor on Wednesday as an IAF chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu.
The pilot of the ill-fated helicopter MI-17V5 was the lone survivor among the 14 people on board the chopper that crashed in a Valley of Coonoor after crashing into trees at around noon the Indian Air Force and local officials said. Sources say that the pilot has 80% burns.
General Rawat, the 63-year-old first CDS of the country, was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today, the IAF spokesman said. “Around noon today, an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN,” the spokesman said. “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 IAF spokesman said.
Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington, he said.
India was in shock at the sudden news of his death and condolences are pouring in from all quarters.
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
General Rawat had served the country with exceptional courage and diligence. As the first Chief of Defence Staff he had prepared plans for jointness of our Armed Forces.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 8, 2021
I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife.
This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time.
Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives.India stands united in this grief.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2021
I am deeply shocked & disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor.
I've instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I'm rushing to the spot.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 8, 2021
Extremely tragic. God bless their soul https://t.co/k4MC1ehGtw
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 8, 2021
Condolences to the families of Gen Rawat & the others killed in the helicopter crash earlier today. May their souls rest in peace. https://t.co/3v8H2uTvOB
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 8, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also said while condoling the demise, said it was an “irreparable loss” to the armed forces and the country. “Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu,” Singh tweeted. “His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country.”
The cause of the crash and this tragedy is still to be ascertained.