Gen Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, dies in chopper crash: All you need to know

Gen Bipin Rawat,  Chief of Defence Staff, and his wife Madhulika Rawat were among 13 people killed in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday afternoon. THere were 14 people on board the helicopter. 

“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 has tweeted.  

The air force said the one survivor, “Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu helicopter crash: Who all were on board?

The helicopter crashed at about 12.20 pm in a forest in the Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area near Coonoor amid low visibility due to foggy conditions in the hilly Niligiris district of Tamil Nadu. Photos from the crash site showed the chopper in flames.The Mi-17VH chopper had taken off from the Sulur IAF station in Coimbatore and was bound for Wellington, a small hill station near Ooty which houses the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).

Also Read | When Gen Bipin Rawat survived a 2015 helicopter crash

Gen Rawat was to attend an event in Wellington. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh monitored the situation and visited Gen Rawat’s home in Delhi. He also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash, as senior officials of the defence ministry huddle in meetings.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later wrote on Twitter, “Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter incident in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.” 

“General Rawat had served the country with exceptional courage and diligence. As the first Chief of Defence Staff he had prepared for jointness of our Armed Forces.” 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained. 

“I also express my deepest condolences on the sad demise of Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other Armed Forces personnel. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May God give them the strength to bear this tragic loss. Praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh,” wrote Amit Shah.