Hummingbird News Desk
NEW DELHI, 8 DEC: India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others died in a military chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
“With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons onboard have died in the unfortunate incident,” the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

The Air Force said Group Captain Varun Singh with injuries is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
The Air Force had earlier confirmed that a Russian-made Mi-17 V5 helicopter with CDS Rawat on board had “met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu”. The IAF has also said that it had ordered an inquiry into what happened.
Gen Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course.

Around noon on Wednesday, an IAF Mi17V5 helicopter with a crew of four members carrying the CDS and nine others met with the tragic accident near Coonoor.
Out of the 14 people, Group Captain Varun Singh, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, is currently undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington.
Madhulika Rawat, Brigadier LS Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Vivek Kumar, Naik B Sai Teja and Havaldar Satpal were travelling along with General Rawat.

Apart from them, two pilots, a Group Captain and a gunner were onboard the ill-fated chopper.
Singh, along with his wife and seven staff, boarded a flight at Delhi for the Sulur IAF base near Coimbatore at 8:47 am. They landed in Sulur at 11:34 am. From there, they boarded the Mi17V5 helicopter at 11:48 am. At 12:22 pm, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) lost contact with the chopper, which crashed in a forest area around 7 km from Coonoor.
The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The report is expected in one month.
The mortal remains of all the deceased will be brought to Delhi on Thursday.
General Rawat, 63, took charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff on January 1, 2020. The position was created to integrate the three services — Army, Navy and Air Force. The CDS is mandated to facilitate integration, ensure best economical use of resources allocated to the armed forces and bring uniformity in the procurement procedure.
Later, he was also appointed as the head of the newly-created Department of Military Affairs.
On December 17, 2016, the government had appointed him as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff. He took charge on December 31, 2016, after the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag.
General Rawat was also the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-services matters.
The Indian Army on Wednesday paid heartfet condolences on the untimely demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others, in the chopper crash at Coonoor.
“The dynamic and inspiring leadership of General Bipin Rawat shall remain eternally etched in our memories. The Indian Armed Forces will forever remain indebted to his invaluable contributions,” a tweet read.
Pakistan’s top army officials condoled the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
“I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji,” President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet. “The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family,” he added.
“Deeply shocked by the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his spouse Smt. Madhulika Rawat, senior officials of the armed forces & others in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet.
“Known for his remarkable leadership and strategic vision, General Rawat added great strength to our defence capabilities and made a stellar contribution to strengthening our national security. His outstanding service to our nation will always be remembered,” he said in another tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today.
“I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” PM Modi tweeted.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that he is going to the spot of the military chopper crash involving CDS Rawat. “I am deeply shocked and disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor,” the TN CM wrote on Twitter.
“I’ve instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I’m rushing to the spot,” Stalin added.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation. Reports said Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash and the Indian Air Force chief has been asked to reach the site.
IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari has reached the Sulur air base in Tamil Nadu.
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