Foreign commanders, dignitaries pay respects to Gen Bipin Rawat | See Pics

Top military commanders of neighbouring countries participated in the final rites of India’s first chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat who was killed in an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crash along with his wife and 11 other defence personnel in Tamil Nadu two days ago. Those who paid last respects to General Rawat include General Shavendra Silva, chief of defence staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army; brigadier Dorji Rinchen, deputy chief operations officer of the Royal Bhutan Army; Suprobal Janasewashree Lt General Bal Krishna Karki, chief of general staff, Nepali Army; and Lt General Waker-Uz-Zaman, principal staff officer of Bangladesh’s armed forces division. Pakistan’s defence advisor and naval advisor posted at its high commission also reportedly paid homage to General Rawat at his residence.

“We remember him as a great military leader, emphatic, warm, determined and great friend to move forward cooperation with my country,” French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain told ANI.

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis also paid his last respects to General Rawat. 

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Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne (retired), former chief of defence staff of Sri Lanka, who too attended the final rites, was a course-mate of General Rawat at the National Defence College, news agency ANI reported.

The funeral procession of General Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat left his official residence for the last rites at the Brar Square crematorium in the Delhi Cantonment on Friday.

Also read: In Pics | The life and times of Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff

General Rawat’s two daughters performed traditional rituals before the caskets of their parents were moved to the gun carriage.

Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and a host of other dignitaries, among others on Friday laid wreaths on the mortal remains of General Rawat and his wife.

Also read: CDS Bipin Rawat: Remembering a general who soldiered on for four decades

Besides General Rawat, his wife and Brig Lidder, the 10 other personnel killed in the accident are: Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader K Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Havildar Satpal, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar and Lance Naik Sai Teja.

Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the crash, is said to be in critical condition.