In an unfortunate incident on Wednesday afternoon, India’s Chief of Defence Staff has been killed in a helicopter crash. This was happened in Tamil Nadu.
CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff has lost his life. Rawat’s wife and 11 others also died, after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city today afternoon.
There is only a lone survivor, now being treated for his injuries in hospital.
Late Rawat was 63-year-old, at the lime of unfortunate death. He was appointed India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.
“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.”, reads a tweet by Indian Air Force – Media Co-ordination Centre this evening.
It adds, “ today morning, an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN.”
It further adds, “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.”
Now, this has brought together the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Also, Gen Rawat had been in charge of a range of operations including in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The IAF said it had ordered an investigation into the accident, which happened in foggy weather. A cabinet security committee is holding an emergency session, chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
( Photo Twitter)
