Bipin Rawat: Tributes for India's 1'st CDS General Who Died in Helicopter Crash
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the crash.
The Indian Air Force has ordered an investigation into the accident, which happened in cold, foggy weather in the Nilgiri hills near Coonoor city. On Wednesday evening, a cabinet security committee held an emergency session, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Salute, Soldier 🇮🇳
— editorji (@editorji) December 9, 2021
- Last respects to Gen #BipinRawat and others at Madras Army centre.
- Remains of those killed in the Army #HelicopterCrash are being flown to Delhi, funeral to be held tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/aSOv2RcONH
Images from the crash site showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the mangled remains of the helicopter, and locals trying to put out the fire.
#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
Is CDS Gen Bipin Rawat dead?
Yes, India lost its first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday after a devastating chopper crash that killed the decorated officer, his wife and 11 other senior officials and staffers in Tamil Nadu.
Where was CDS Rawat going?
The Russian-made Mi-17V5 military helicopter had just taken off from an army base in Sulur, and was heading for Wellington town, less than 100km (62 miles) away, where Gen Rawat was due to visit the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).
On board with Gen Rawat and his wife were seven other military passengers and five crew members, including the pilot.
Mr Singh said in parliament that the Air Traffic Control at the Sulur base lost contact with the helicopter at around 12.08 pm, seven minutes before it was expected to land at Wellington.
The sole survivor of the crash was a captain working at the DSSC. He is being treated for his injuries in hospital.
Who is alive in the helicopter crash?
IAF Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others, is being shifted to Bengaluru from the Army hospital at Wellington in Tamil Nadu.
Although the Mi-17V5 is among the most sophisticated military transport helicopters, India's ageing air force fleet is often blamed for a high number of crashes.
Former army chief J J Singh said it was "a safe, proven helicopter", adding that he himself had travelled on it in difficult situations.
Who was the first CDS of India?
General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, and an extraordinary military leader. The first sitting Chief of Army Staff to be appointed as the CDS, Gen Rawat had an illustrious career spanning over four decades.