Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other people on board an Mi-17V5 helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed.
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.
Group Captain Varun Singh is alive with serious injuries and is being treated at a military hospital in Wellington. The government has said that its entire effort right now is to save Captain Varun Singh.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that he is praying for the speedy recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh.
Who is IAF’s Group Captain Varun Singh?
Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Varun Singh, who was in the chopper along with General Rawat and others, is the lone survivor of the tragic crash. He has suffered serious injuries.
Awarded Shaurya Chakra on this year’s Independence Day for saving his LCA. Tejas fighter aircraft during an aerial emergency in 2020.
The Indian Air Force tweeted, “With deep regret, it now have ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat. Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.”
The last rites of General Rawat will performed in New Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi will chair Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meet at 6.30pm. In the wake of the Coonoor helicopter tragedy.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General MM Naravane briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Over the incident of the crash of the military chopper.
The defence Minister visited CDS Bipin Rawat’s residence to brief the family of the current situation.
Wing Commander Varun Singh was before flying a system check sortie in LCA, away from the parent base.