The mortal remains of all 13 Army personnel, including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, who were martyred in the helicopter crash near Coonoor in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, will be brought to Delhi today. In this helicopter accident, about 14 people of the army including CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat were aboard.
Along with this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Lok Sabha on Thursday at 11:15 am and in the Rajya Sabha at 12 noon. At the same time, due to this accident, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday.According to the information given by the Indian Air Force, the only survivor of the Helicopter accident, Group Captain Varun Singh, is currently undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington.
According to sources, CDS Bipin Rawat took off in an Indian Air Force Ember aircraft from Palam airport at 8:47 am and arrived at Sulur airbase at 11:34 a.m. From Sulur, he took off for Wellington at around 11:48 am in a Mi-17V5 helicopter. Sources said that the helicopter crashed at 12:22 pm. The CDS had to give lecture at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
The Air Force said that the Mi-17V5 helicopter was carrying the CDS and nine other passengers and four crew members. The helicopter was crashed near Coonoor around 2 pm. An inquiry has been ordered by the Air Force into the accident.
CDS General Bipin Rawat was the Chief of the Indian Army from 17 December 2016 to 31 December 2019. On 31 December 2019, he was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff. The death of General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others was condoled by Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and other Army officers. The army tweeted that the mighty and inspiring leadership of General Bipin Rawat will always be in our memories. His significant service to the Indian Army will be remembered forever.
According to the officials the mortal remains of General Rawat and his wife are likely to reach Delhi on Thursday evening and their last rites will be performed at Delhi Cantt on Friday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was deeply saddened by the sudden death of General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a very tragic helicopter crash.