The Indian Air Force had confirmed a little before 2 pm that an Mi-17 V5 helicopter with General Rawat on board had “met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu”.
General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, died today after a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu, killing 13 on board. One man is being treated for severe burns.
General 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) tweeted.
The helicopter crashed shortly after it took off from the Air Force base in Sulur at 11.45 am, Coimbatore, for Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills.The General was heading to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
WHO WAS GEN BIPIN RAWAT?
General Bipin Rawat was the first officer of the Indian armed forces to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. The post was newly created as part of the government’s efforts to restructure India’s armed forces to meet present-day challenges.
General Bipin Rawat was named CDS just a day before he was to retire as the Indian Army chief, a position that he held for a full three-year term.
General Bipin Rawat was an officer from the Gorkha Regiment. He was the fourth officer from the Gorkha Regiment to became the Chief of Army Staff.
Bipin Rawat Helicopter Crash
An army helicopter carrying the Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and other senior officials has crashed in Coonnoor in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. The helicopter was flying from Sulur Airbase to Wellington. 14 personnel including 3-4 senior officials, were on board. Rawat’s wife is also reportedly one of those on-board.
According to top officials in Tamil Nadu, thirteen out of fourteen people have been found dead. The accident occurred happened at Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist and early visuals showed the helicopter in flames.
The IAF said that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The officials were travelling in an Mi-17VH chopper that took off from the Sulur IAF Station in nearby Coimbatore.
Official sources in Delhi said all the injured people on board the helicopter have been evacuated from the spot of the accident.
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The Chenab Times News Desk