CDS Gen Bipin Rawat dies in chopper crash; “irreparable loss” says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) died after a military helicopter crashed in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said today.

“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,” tweeted IAF.

Gen Rawat, India’s first CDS was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed near Coonor in the Nilgiris district.

“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,” the IAF added.

Gen Rawat had taken off from Sulur Airbase for Wellington and was accompanied by his wife Madhulika Rawat, his DA Brigadier LS Lidder, SO Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, among other defence officials.

“Around noon today, 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,” the Indian Air Force said in a tweet.

Group Captain Varun Singh, SC, Directing Staff at DSSC, the sole survivor of the crash, is undergoing treatment for his injuries at Military Hospital in Wellington.

General Rawat was India’s first Chief of Defence Staff. With his appointment in the topmost position in December 2019, he was the one-point advisor to the government matters related to the military including the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

“Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu. His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.

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

A veteran of counterinsurgency warfare, CDS Rawat served in the most difficult terrains including northern and eastern commands.

CDS Rawat was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978. He previously served as Chief of the Army Staff from January 2017 to December 2019.

Condoling the demise of General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday termed the former “one of the nation’s bravest sons” and said that General Rawat’s four decades of selfless service to the armed forces was marked by “exceptional gallantry and heroism.”

Bipin Rawat died after a military helicopter crashed in Conoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. “I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Ji. 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,” tweeted Kovind.

President Kovind further added, “It’s deeply painful for me to learn of the loss of lives in the chopper crash. I join my fellow citizens in paying tributes to each of those who died while performing their duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu condoled the death of Bipin Rawat, the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff, who died after a military helicopter carrying him crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor.

“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 and others in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” tweeted Naidu. Naidu further said that he spoke to the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh and conveyed my deep anguish. “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family members in this hour of grief,” he added.

Speaking about Bipin Rawat, Naidu added, “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.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his deep anguish on the death of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash and said his insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. Describing CDS Rawat as “an outstanding soldier” and “a true patriot,” the Prime Minister said he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus.

The Prime Minister also expressed his anguish at the death of others on board the helicopter including Gen Rawat’s wife and defence officers.

“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,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

“Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti,” he added.

PM Modi said that as India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to the country’s armed forces including defence reforms. “He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service,” the Prime Minister said.

Amid the demise of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi appealed to the party workers not to celebrate her birthday on Thursday, informed party sources.
According to the sources, the preparations were on to celebrate the birthday in the Congress headquarters. The preparations for the program are stopped after Sonia’s appeal.

Indian army paid heartfelt condolences on the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat who died this morning after a military helicopter carrying him crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor.

Indian army, tweeted, “General MM Naravane COAS and All Ranks of IndianArmy pay heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat CDS, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other passengers on board, in an unfortunate air crash at Coonoor.”

“The dynamic and inspiring leadership of General Bipin Rawat shall remain eternally etched in our memories. The IndianArmedForces will forever remain indebted to his invaluable contributions,” added the Indian army.

A veteran of counterinsurgency warfare, CDS Rawat served in the most difficult terrains including northern and eastern commands.

The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife along with other armed forces personnel who died today after a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu is expected to arrive in Delhi by Thursday evening, informed sources.

The Indian Air Force today informed that General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons on board the Mi-17 V5 helicopter were killed after the aircraft crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

“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 (IAF) tweeted.

13 of 14 personnel on-board confirmed dead

Thirteen out of 14 occupants of the Indian Air Force military helicopter, which was carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and had crashed on Wednesday near Coonor near Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri hill district, have been confirmed dead. The identities of the bodies will be confirmed through DNA testing, according to sources.

While an investigation has been ordered, the government is likely to make a statement in Parliament on Thursday on the crash of the IAF’s Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying CDS Rawat, his wife, and other military personnel. The aircraft was on its way from Sulur IAF base in Coimbatore to Defence Staff College in Wellington.

Earlier Defence minister Rajanath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash, according to sources.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has also rushed to the crash site, according to sources.
Bodies recovered from the site of the chopper crash were taken to Military Hospital, Wellington.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has expressed shock at the incident and said he has instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations. He is also slated to reach the site of the crash.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ramachandran informed that five people on board the chopper have died. “I have reached here (chopper crash site) on the instructions of the Chief Minister. Out of the 14 people on board, five people have died and the situation of two others is critical. Rescue operation is underway,” Ramachandran said.

The Indian Air Force has issued a list of names of General Rawat’s staff who were also on-board the crashed chopper. Apart from CDS General Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brigadier LS Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kumar, L/NK Vivek Kumar, L/NK B Sai Teja and Hav Satpal are among those on board the aircraft. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the accident. (ANI)