Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, General Bipin Rawat died in an Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper crash on 8th December, Wednesday in Tamil Nadu.
Madhulika Rawat, his wife and eleven other armed force personnel who were on board were also killed in the tragic accident.
Bipin Rawat was travelling to Defence Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when the mishap took place near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district.
CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others die in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu
IAF said that Group Captain Varun Singh SC, directing staff at DSSC, is presently under medical care at the Military Hospital in Wellington.
The Indian Air Force took to its official Twitter handle to share the news. It wrote, “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 IAF also said that they have ordered an internal inquiry to find out the root cause of the accident.
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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
Bipin Rawat was the first Indian Armed Force officer to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the year 2019.
When Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance won with a thumping majority in general elections in 2019 the CDS post was created for the first time in India to meet challenges faced by Indian armed forces that include the Indian Navy, Airforce and Army.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay tributes saying, “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021
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
General Bipin Rawat was appointed for the post of CDS just one day prior to his retirement as the Indian Army chief on 31st December 2019. He served as Indian army chief from 2016 to 2019. He was an officer from the Gorkha Regiment.
“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”, shared Defence minister Rajnath Singh remembering Gen. Rawat.
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.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 8, 2021
A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2021
The mortal remains of all members who died in the crash are likely to reach New Delhi by 9th December.
According to media reports, Rajnath Singh will address Parliament about the crash tomorrow i.e. 9th December. Rajnath Singh paid a visit to Rawat’s residence in Delhi to offer condolence to family and friends.
Brigadier LS Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja and Hav Satpal were also travelling on this unfateful day in the Mi-17VH chopper.
CDA Bipin Rawat encountered a Cheetah crash six years back in Dimapur City in Nagaland and survived. He was then a lieutenant general. He is survived by his two daughters, Kritika and Tarini.
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