General Vipin Rawat Helicopter Crash
A military helicopter carrying Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 others crashed soon after take-off in Tamil Nadu today. 13 people have died and a man is undergoing treatment for severe burns. There has been no official statement on General Bipin Rawat's condition.
General Rawat's wife, his defense assistant, security commandos, and Air Force personnel were onboard the aircraft.
Bipin Lakshman Singh Rawat is a Four Star General Of the Indian Army. He is the First chief of defense staff in India. He was one of the best and bravest soldiers who has served the motherland. WE ARE PROUD OF HIM.
"An Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat crashed today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF tweeted. Shortly after a Russian-made Mi-17 V5 helicopter took off from the Air Force Base in Sulur, Coimbatore, for Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills.
The helicopter was already taking off and could land in 10 minutes. AFP news agency said it came down about 10 km from the nearest road, forcing emergency workers to rush to the crash site.
63-year-old General Rawat took charge as India's first Chief of Defense Staff in January 2019. The post was established with the aim of integrating the three services - Army, Navy, and Air Force.
A former army chief, General Rawat was also appointed the head of the newly created Military Affairs Department.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visits General Rawat's house in Delhi.
Many former army chiefs expressed grief; He described the Mi-17 double engine helicopter as a very stable aircraft used for VVIP flights.
