CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife & 11 others killed in chopper crash in Tamil Nadu

Dec. 8: In an unfortunate development, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and 12 others including his wife crashed in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday,  The crash occurred around 12 noon. Indian Air Force in a tweet later on informed, “Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident. It was further informed that “Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.”

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. “All personnel of Indian Air Force express their deepest condolences on the untimely passing away of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Mrs Madhulika Rawat, along with 11 other Service personnel in an unfortunate helicopter crash around noon today,” tweeted Indian Air Force on Wednesday.

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. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021