New Delhi, Dec 8, 2008 : India’s Chief Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Roht, Madhulika Rawat and 11 other people died in a military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, near Coonoor, on Wednesday. “With deep regret, it is now established that General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other passengers have died in this unfortunate incident,” said the Indian Air Force in a statement.
Gen Rawat visited the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington in Nilgiri Hills, to address the students and faculty.
A Mi17V5 IAF helicopter carrying the CDS and nine other crew members crashed into a hill near Coonoor at noon on Wednesday.
One of the 14 patients, Group Captain Varun Sing, Directing Staff at Defence Services Staff College is currently being treated at the Military Hospital in Wellington.
Madhulika Rawat, Brigadier L.S.General Rawat was accompanied by Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Sing, Naik Gursewak, Naik Jitender Singh, Naik Vivek, Naik Bhai Teja, and Naik Harjinder Kumar.
They were joined by two other pilots, a group captain, and a gunner on board the ill-fated helicopter.
Singh, his wife, and seven staff boarded a flight from Delhi to the Sulur IAF base in Coimbatore at 8.47.They landed at Sulur at 11 :34 AM.They boarded the Mi17V5 helicopter at 11 :48.The Air Traffic Control (ATC), which was located in Coonoor, lost contact with the helicopter at 12:22.
According to the IAF, a Court of Inquiry was ordered into the accident.The report is expected within one month.
All the mortal remains of all the deceased will be brought to Delhi on Thursday.
On January 1, 2020, General Rawat (63 years old) was appointed India’s first Chief Of Defence Staff.
The position was created to unite the three services, Army, Navy, and Air Force.The CDS’s mission is to facilitate integration, maximize the use of resources and ensure uniformity in procurement.
Later, he was appointed to the position of head of the newly created Department of Military Affairs.
He was appointed the 27th Chief Of The Army Staff by the government on December 17, 2016.
After the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag, he assumed control on December 31, 2016.
General Rawat was also the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister in all matters related to the tri-services.
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