PM Modi, Defence Minister, NSA lead the nation to pay tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat; last rites today

Paid my last respects to General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. India will never forget their rich contribution, tweeted PM Modi. 

CDS General Bipin Rawat was a hero son of India and champion of very strong defense relations between Israel and India. For us, it is a loss of a friend. The top leadership of our country knew him, valued his friendship, said Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai along with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot visited the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru where the lone survivor of Tamil Nadu chopper crash, Indian Air Force's Group Captain Varun Singh has been shifted for further treatment.

The 3 service chiefs - Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar & IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari pay last respects to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat & other 11 Armed Forces personnel. 

NSA Ajit Doval pays tributes to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other 11 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the IAF chopper crash on Wednesday.

PM Narendra Modi leads the nation in paying tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other 11 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the military chopper crash yesterday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other 11 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the Tamil Nadu chopper crash on Wednesday. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets families of CDS General Bipin Rawat and other Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in Tamil Nadu chopper crash yesterday, at Palam airbase. CDS Gen Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, L/Nk Vivek Kr, NK Gurushewak Singh, L/Nk BS Teja, Naik Jitender Kr, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Brig LS Lidder, Hav Satpal Raj, Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, Sqn Leader K Singh, JWO Rana Pratap Das & JWO Pradeep A. lost their lives in #TamilNaduChopperCrash y'day

The mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madulika Rawat and 11 others, who lost their lives in Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash yesterday, placed at Palam airbase. Their families pay last respects.

 The mortal remains of Lance Naik Vivek Kumar also kept at Palam airbase. Bodies of all 13 including CDS General Bipin Rawat, wife Madhulika have been brought to Delhi. President, PM other dignitaries will pay tributes to all braves who lost their lives in the IAF chopper crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

The mortal remains of Madhulika Rawat, president of the Army Wives Welfare Association and wife of late CDSGeneralBipinRawat, kept at Palam airbase.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami says that the death of CDS General Bipin Rawat is an irreparable loss; it is a huge loss for the nation, especially for the state of Uttarakhand and for him.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft from Sulur carrying mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat, wife and 11 other defence personnel, arrives at Palam airbase in Delhi. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other dignitaries to pay tributes.

CDS General Bipin Rawat's daughters leave for Delhi airport to pay their tributes. 

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Army Commander of Sri Lanka, Gen Shavendra Silva expected to attend the last rites of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft from Sulur is expected to arrive at Palam airbase by 7:40 pm today. 'Shradhanjali ceremony' is scheduled from 8:30 pm.

Positive identification of only three mortal remains has been possible as of now (Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat & Brig LS Lidder) and their mortal remains will be released to the Next of Kin, for final religious rites as desired by respective families, Indian Army said.

The process for positive identification of remaining mortal remains is continuing. Mortal remains will be kept at the Mortuary of Army Base Hospital till completion of positive identification formalities, Army said.

Appropriate military funerals of all deceased are being planned and coordinated in close consultation with close family members, Army added.

The mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat and other Armed Forces personnel will reach Delhi around 8 PM today. Some of the family members of the personnel killed in the helicopter crash will also be present. President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval will be present at the Palam Airport to pay tribute. 

Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the Coonoor military chopper crash, shifted to Command Hospital, Bengaluru for further treatment.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefs President Kovind about the IAF chopper crash in which CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other defence personnel were killed on Wednesday. 

Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC, Srinagar's Chinar Corps, pays homage to late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat at Sherwani Community Hall, Baramulla.

"The connection he had with the people of Uri, Baramulla & Kashmir was like no other. We'll take time to recover from this loss," he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that Opposition MPs were not allowed by the chairperson to pay tribute to late General Bipin Rawat and others who lost their lives in the Coonoor chopper crash. “After Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition demanded one-two minutes for each MP to pay tribute to General Bipin Rawat and others who died in the chopper crash. But we were not allowed. It is unfortunate and we condemn this attitude,” he said.

All 13 bodies are being brought in an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from Sulur to Delhi. IAF Chief has already left for Delhi from there. Four bodies including that of Gen Rawat, his wife & Brig LS Lidder have been positively identified: Sources

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed anguish over the tragic demise of General Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of the Defence Staff, who died in a helicopter crash, and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Indian government and the bereaved families. "Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Indian Armed Forces," Deuba said in a tweet.  

People mourn the demise of Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh at his native city, Jhunjhunu. He lost his life in the chopper crash. It's a huge setback for us & the whole nation to lose such a capable officer. We'll never forget their sacrifice: Cousin of Sqn Ldr K Singh

Locals shower flower petals as ambulances carrying the mortal remains of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel who died in the Coonoor Helicopter Crash, leave for Sulur airbase from Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district

Close family members of all the deceased personnel are arriving at Delhi. All necessary assistance and support are being provided. Assistance of close family members for positive identification will be taken in addition to scientific measures. The severity of air crash has led to difficulty in positive identification of mortal remains. All possible measures are being taken for positive identification considering the sensitivities and emotional well-being of the loved ones: Indian Army

Mortal remains will be released to the Next of Kin only after positive identification. Appropriate military rites of all personnel will be ensured in consultation with close relatives once the process of positive identification is completed: Indian Army

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday mourned the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other military officials in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. "CDS General Bipin Rawat will always be remembered for his patriotism and his service to the nation. In this hour of grief, the entire House offers deep condolences to the bereaved families." He also prayed for the speedy recovery of lone survivor Group Captain Varun Singh who is under treatment at Wellington hospital. The House observed a two-minute silence as mark of respect to the departed souls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and others at the Delhi airport on Thursday evening. The mortal remains of 13 of fourteen people who died in a chopper crash yesterday, will be brought to Delhi from Tamil Nadu. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also be present at the airport. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Describing General Bipin Rawat as a "true leader and true friend" of Israel, the country's top leadership has expressed condolences to the government and people of India at the "tragic and shocking loss" of its first Chief of Defence Staff who died in a helicopter crash. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in a tweet said, "My thoughts & prayers are with the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in India. May their souls rest in peace". "General Bipin Rawat was a true leader & true friend of Israel. Much strength to @narendramodi & the Indian people at this difficult time", Bennett added.  

In photos from left to right--four Indian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in the military chopper crash include Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, Sqn Leader K Singh, JWO Rana Pratap Das, JWO Pradeep A. 

We have dedicated the first day of the State Assembly's Winter session to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat. He was our pride. I am going to Delhi to attend his funeral: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Bodies of those who died in the military chopper crash yesterday have been brought to Madras Regimental Centre from Military Hospital, Wellington in Nilgiris district

Vehicles carrying mortal remains of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel who died in the Coonoor chopper crash, leave for Sulur airbase from Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district. From Sulur airbase, the mortal remains will be taken to Delhi by air.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to call on President Ram Nath Kovind and apprise him of the details of the Coonoor chopper crash

"My thoughts are with Gp Capt Varun Singh who has survived the tragic chopper crash. I pray for his speedy recovery and long life," tweets President Ram Nath Kovind

Governor of Telangana  & Lieutenant Governor Puducherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan paid floral tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat and others who died in the Coonoor chopper crash, at Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district. & Lieutenant Governor Puducherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan paid floral tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat and others who died in the Coonoor chopper crash, at Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district.

In Uttarakhand Assembly, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, state ministers, and MLAs pay tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat who along with his wife & 11 others died in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu yesterday.

Students of a school in Jammu pay tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others who died in a chopper crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu yesterday

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "deeply saddened" by the death of Generl Bipin Rawat, India's Chief of Defence Services and a veteran of UN peacekeeping operations, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "He served the United Nations with distinction, and we fully appreciated that work," Dujarric said on Wednesday. Guterres "expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families and the deceased to the people and government of India", he said. Rawat was the Kivu Brigade Commander in the peacekeeping operation, United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo known by its French initials as MONUSCO, during 2008-2009 when he had the rank of Lt General.

We've decided not to protest (against the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs) today in honour of CDS Bipin Rawat & the soldiers who died in the chopper crash&to pay tribute to them. We'll also attend Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's address: Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in Rajya Sabha

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin pays floral tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat and others who died in the Coonoor chopper crash, at Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district

Air Marshal Manvendra Singh is heading the tri-services inquiry into the IAF Mi-17 that crashed yesterday. Singh  is Commander of Indian Air Force’s training command and a helicopter pilot himself: IAF Officials

Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support in Military Hospital, Wellington. All efforts are being made to save his life: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his statement in Lok Sabha on the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Rajya Sabha observes two-minute silence on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other personnel in a military helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 

The last rites of CDS General Bipin Rawat will be performed with full military honours. The last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate military honour: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his statement in LS on the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu

Lok Sabha observes two-minute silence on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other personnel in a military helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 

According to sources, news agency ANI reported, Group Captain Varun Singh’s health condition is critical but stable. He is under watch and if required, he can be shifted from the Military Hospital, Wellington to the Command Hospital, Bangalore.

Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the military chopper crash. The investigation will be led by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh. The inquiry team reached Wellington yesterday itself and started the investigation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Lok Sabha

A team of Tamil Nadu Forensic Science Department headed by Director Srinivasan arrived at the crash site near Kattery in Coonoor.

A six-member special medical team from Coimbatore is attending the treatment of the lone survivor in the Coonoor helicopter crash, Group captain Varun Singh who is struggling for his life at the Wellington Army hospital.

Our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat's family & the families of the other victims of the crash. Rawat left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defense partnership: US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin III 

The data recorder of the ill-fated M 17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force that crashed near Coonoor in Ooty leading to the loss of lives of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other armed personnel, was recovered on Thursday morning. A 25 special team of the Air force officers led by Wing Commander R. Bhardwaj has recovered the black box and more details are awaited. The team has been conducting search operations since morning as the priority on Wednesday was to recover the bodies safely to Wellington Army hospital.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday tweeted, "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." "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."

"General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far-reaching reforms in Indian military's higher defence organisation. He was instrumental in creating foundation of India's joint theatre commands & giving impetus to increased indigenisation of military equipment," Indian Army said in statement.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu visits the chopper crash site near Coonoor in Nilgiris district; visuals from near the site.

Prior to taking over as the CDS, General Bipin Rawat served as 57th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as well as 26th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. On 17 December 2016, the Government of India appointed him as the 27th Chief of the Army Staff, superseding two more senior Lieutenant Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P. M. Hariz.  He took the office of Chief of Army Staff as the 27th COAS on 31 December 2016, after the retirement of General Dalbir Singh Suhag. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Varun Singh, who was in the chopper along with Gen Rawat and others, is the lone survivor of the tragic crash. He has suffered serious injuries. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra on this year’s Independence Day for saving his LCA Tejas fighter aircraft during an aerial emergency in 2020. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari reaches the chopper crash site near Coonoor in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.13 people including CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife lost their lives in the accident on Wednesday.

The Black Box of Mi-17V5 helicopter has not yet been found. Some parts of the chopper have been recovered. The investigators has secured the crash site.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will brief both Houses of the Parliament on the chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri Hills that claimed the lives of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Dr Madhulika Rawat and 11 others. Singh will speak in the Lok Sabha at 11:15 am and at noon in the Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his condolences over CDS General Bipin Rawat's death caused due to a military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu. His wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other personnel were also on board. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

A 3-day state mourning will be observed in Uttarakhand over the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other personnel who lost their lives in a fatal military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu. 

Late CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat will be cremated in Delhi Cantonment on December 10 (Friday). Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in the national capital in a military plane by Thursday evening. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several chief ministers were among leaders across the political spectrum who condoled the death of Gen. Rawat and hailed him as an outstanding soldier.

The Indian Air Force said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident, involving a Mi-17VH choppper that took from the Sulur IAF Station in nearby Coimbatore. 

After the death of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat yesterday (Wednesday), Army Vice Chief Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty has cut short his two-day visit to Qatar and is returning to Delhi: ANI Sources

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply saddened by the death of General Bipin Rawat and expressed his heartfelt condolences on Wednesday to the families of the deceased in the helicopter crash in the Nilgiri Hills.

Guterres expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and government of India, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, reported Xinhua.

Rawat served the United Nations with distinction and his work was fully appreciated, he said.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces," tweeted Deuba.

COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma of Nepali Army also paid condolences on the untimely demise of Rawat.

"COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma and all ranks of the Nepali Army pay their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Rawat and 11 others in the unfortunate accident," tweeted Nepali Army spokesperson.