RNS: General Bipin Rawat, India’s top military commander and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday. A statement released by the Indian Air Force stated that the general’s wife, Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other passengers died in the tragic tragedy.
According to the report, an Indian Airforce helicopter Mi 17 V-5 carrying the Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and thirteen others crashed in the forest area near Coonoor in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu today. Apart from the crew, CDS Bipin Rawat’s staff and family members were also on board in the chopper which crashed. The passengers include Madhulika Rawat, President of Defence Wives Welfare Association, Brig.L.S.Lidder DA to CDS, Lt.Col. Harjinder Singh SO to CDS and five PSOs. The helicopter was on its way to the Sulur Airbase. Indian Air Force has said, an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The mortal remains of the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and the others have been kept at Military Hospital Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The mortal remains will be taken to the Madras Regimental Centre at Coonoor tomorrow and then will be taken to New Delhi.
