CDS Gen Bipin Rawat passes away in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 08, Dec 2021

An Indian Airforce helicopter Mi 17 V-5 carrying the Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and thirteen others crashed in the forest area near Coonoor in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu today. Apart from the crew, CDS Bipin Rawat's staff and his wife  were also on board in the ill fated chopper. 

The passengers include Madhulika Rawat, President of Defence Wives Welfare Association, Brig.L.S.Lidder DA to CDS, Lt.Col. Harjinder Singh SO to CDS and five PSOs. The helicopter was on its way to the Sulur Airbase.  Official confirmation is awaited on the identity of the eleven bodies which were retrieved from the site as they were beyond recognition. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting at 6:30 PM today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to give a statement in Parliament tomorrow on helicopter crash. The Defence Minister has asked the Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari to reach the crash site. A meeting of senior Defence ministry officials was held. Defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed the Prime Minister about the crash. Mr Singh also visited the residence of the Chief of Defence Staff in New Delhi. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the incident.
       
Tamil Nadu Minister of Forests  K. Ramachandran said that they were not able to give clear information on the incident as rescue and relief efforts were on. Mr Ramachandran said three persons onboard who were seriously injured have been taken to the hospital. Tamilnadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will reach the crash site later today.

Sources : News On Air