Defence Chief General Bipin Rawat dies in chopper crash:
Yesterday was a sad day for our country as we lost Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash along with 13 other people. General Rawat’s wife Madhulika Rawat was also killed. The crash took place shortly after the Russian-made Mi-17 V5 chopper took off from the Air Force base in Sulur, Coimbatore, for Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills.
Videos showing wreckage scattered on a hillside and rescuers struggling through thick smoke and fire to locate bodies are doing rounds on social media. The helicopter would have landed in 10 more minutes before it crashed down.
#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.
(Video Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
The only survivor of the mishap is Air Force Group Captain Varun Singh, who is being treated for severe burns. Group Captain Singh had gone to Sulur from Wellington to receive General Rawat.
The funeral of General Rawat and his wife will take place today.
After the tragic news PM Modi tweeted:
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
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.
The nation mourns the death of Gen Bipin Rawat, this is a huge loss for the country:
There are some men who feel like ones from our family. Our security forces feel like family and feel extremely pained to hear about the demise of Gen #BipinRawat and his wife in the tragic helicopter crash. May Parmatma give Sadgati to the bravehearts who lost their lives. pic.twitter.com/IBrfhkqKeL
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 8, 2021
Rest in Power Legend 🙏🏼 #BipinRawat pic.twitter.com/G9MVRPaVh6
— Koena Mitra (@koenamitra) December 8, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with General #BipinRawat and everyone who have lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash 🙏 pic.twitter.com/whhYbfwXCS
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) December 8, 2021
Saddened by the news of the helicopter crash. Prayers with General #BipinRawat and everyone who lost their lives. Condolences to the loved ones 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mf15PPi2BD
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) December 8, 2021
Extremely tragic news about the helicopter crash near Conoor. RIP #BipinRawat sir 🙏 pic.twitter.com/UHc2x3j0SB
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) December 8, 2021
Deeply disturbed to know about the demise of CDS General #BipinRawat, his wife & other armed forces officials in an unfortunate Mi-17 helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
I join our nation in mourning the loss of one of India’s finest soldiers. My condolences to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/kPskrFre6z
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 8, 2021
Absolutely numb 💔 #BipinRawat pic.twitter.com/ztbFtriICj
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 8, 2021
Really sad and shocked at the tragic loss of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife & 11 others. It was an honour to meet him recently at Shershaah’s trailer launch.
Om shanti 🙏🏼#RestInPeace #BipinRawat pic.twitter.com/kf8wmFfMLS— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) December 8, 2021
An army office lives on forever in the hearts & prayers of all his countrymen. My heartfelt condolences to the families of General Bipin Rawat and all the individuals who perished in the copter crash today.#BipinRawat pic.twitter.com/jLjaDGH2HW
— Dulquer Salmaan (@dulQuer) December 8, 2021
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. #BipinRawat and his wife in a tragic helicopter crash. The nation will always be grateful to Gen. Rawat for his service to the nation. Om Shanti 🙏🏼
Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/b4qwfAW2Kz— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 8, 2021
General Rawat, 63, took charge as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff in January 2020. The position was created to integrate Army, Navy and the Air Force. A former Army Chief, he was also appointed the head of the newly-created Department of Military Affairs.
The other defence personnel killed in the crash included Brigadier L S Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader K Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Havildar Satpal, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar and Lance Naik Sai Teja.
