CDS General Bipin Rawat, wife Madhulika, 11 others dead in Mi-17V5 chopper crash in TN | Updates

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.

"Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari & all personnel of IAF express their deepest condolences on the untimely passing away of India's first CDS Gen Bipin Rawat & Mrs Madhulika Rawat, along with 11 other Service personnel in an unfortunate helicopter crash today," Indian Air Force said.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make the statement on CDS General Bipin Rawat's helicopter crash in both the Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today. In today's meeting, all members observed two minutes of silence and paid tributes to all those who have lost their lives in the military chopper crash, government sources said.

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.

"Pained by the untimely demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in the tragic accident in Coonoor today. The entire nation mourns this irreparable loss. We will always remember the courage and devotion with which he served our nation," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.

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.

The Government's complete focus is on Singh's treatment and his swift recovery following which he can be in a position to explain what led to the Mi-V175 chopper crash.

"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.

"Today, the county has lost one of its most humble and devoted soldiers. The suddenness of his demise has shocked an entire nation. My deepest sympathies with the families of everyone who was on the ill-fated flight," Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted.

"I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife. This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives. India stands united in this grief," tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind tweets, "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."

"It’s deeply painful for me to learn of the loss of lives in the chopper crash. I join the fellow citizens in paying tributes to each of those who died while performing their duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh 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."

"My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this accident. Praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh, who is currently under treatment at the Military Hospital, Wellington," Rajnath added.

"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," said PM Modi on Twitter.

"As India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service," PM Modi tweeted.

In a tweet, IAF confirmed, "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. 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," IAF said.

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will be meeting at 6.30 PM today in the wake of Coonoor helicopter tragedy.

Former Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat along with Ajay Tamta reach CDS's house.

MI 17V5 external check was done before it took off. Pilots and maintenance staff had also conducted a check. MeT report, pressure and temperature was also taken care of and dualy checked: Air Force source

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said he was deeply saddened by the crash of the helicopter which was carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several officers on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

Received the sad news of an army helicopter crashing in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. I pray to God for the safety of all the people including CDS Shri Bipin Rawat ji: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. Identities of the bodies to be confirmed through DNA testing

According to sources, DNA testing will be done to confirm identities of the dead

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane reaches CDS Bipin Rawat's house in New Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will brief the Parliament tomorrow about the helicopter crash incident near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. An IAF helicopter with Gen Rawat on board met with an accident on Wednesday. 11 people have lost their lives in the mishap. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leave from South Block. He is going to CDC General Bipin Rawat's home. He will brief General Rawat's family about the helicopter crash incident. General Rawat is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. He has suffered 70 to 80 per cent burn injuries. 

The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people onboard on Wednesday, is an advanced military transport chopper that has been with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2012. Manufactured by Russian Helicopters' subsidiary Kazan, the helicopter has an onboard weather radar and is equipped with the latest generation of night vision devices.

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

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee prays for the speedy recovery of everyone injured in the mishap. "Extremely tragic news coming in from Coonoor. Today, the entire nation prays for the safety of those who were onboard including CDS Bipin Rawat and his family members," she tweeted.

Indian Air Force chief Vivek Ram Chaudhuri has left for Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. An Indian Air Force helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on board crashed near Coonoor in the afternoon. There were 14 people on board. Reports say that 11 have died. 

Former Union Minister said that he was shocked to hear about the incident in Tamil Nadu. "Praying to Lord Badri for the wellbeing of Gen Rawat," he tweeted.

The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter was airborne from Sulur for Wellington. There were 14 persons on board, including the crew. 11 people have died. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to move Coimbatore from Chennai Airport today evening and then move to Nilgiris, following the incident of military chopper crash between Coimbatore and Sulur.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following crash of IAF chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat & others. A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials is underway. Singh has briefed the PM about the crash: Sources

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the Cabinet and left for the South Block. He will soon make a statement in Parliament on the incident. 

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat's condition is said to be critical. He is currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Wellington. He was on board an IAG chopper that crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu this afternoon. The Chief of Defence Staff was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington when the incident happened.  

According to the local administration, seven people lost their lives in the crash. The military helicopter caught fire after crash landing near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

Gen Bipin Rawat had survived a Cheetah helicopter crash in Dimapur, Nagaland on February 3, 2015. He was a lieutenant general at that time. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has convened an emergency meeting. The meeting will be attended by senior state government officials. 

Bodies recovered from the site of the crash (between Coimbatore and Sulur where a military chopper crashed) have been taken to Military Hospital, Wellington in Tamil Nadu: Sources

14 people were on-board the military chopper that crashed b/w Coimbatore&Sulur in Tamil Nadu. They included CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja & Hav Satpal

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to make a statement on the incident in Parliament today. Earlier in the afternoon, an IAF helicopter with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation and directed officials to rush to the site. He later briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.  

According to a statement issued by the Indian Air Force, an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor. 

The chopper crashed in a forest area, reportedly due to poor visibility following heavy fog, official sources told PTI. TV visuals showed the chopper in flames, apparently under the impact of the crash. Rescue personnel, along with Army personnel, were seen involved in clearing the area.

Official sources in Coimbatore said four bodies have been retrieved and three persons rescued from under the debris of the helicopter which crashed in Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area near Coonoor in the hilly Nilgiris district, according to a PTI report.

The Chief of Defence Staff was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington. The helicopter was on its way from Sulur in Coimbatore to DSC in Wellington where Rawat, along with Chief of Army Staff MM Naravane, was slated to participate in an event later.

The IAF 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. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Gen Rawat is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Senior defence officials have reached to the incident site. Official sources in Delhi told PTI that all the injured people on board the helicopter have been evacuated from the spot of the accident.

Four persons were killed in the mishap that happened reportedly due to low visibility due to foggy conditions. The injured persons including General Rawat have been rushed to a nearby hospital. 

An Indian Air Force helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on board met with an accident on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.