CDS Bipin Rawat, Wife Among 13 Dead in Mi-17 Chopper Crash in Tamil Nadu

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Rawat, died on Wednesday, along with 11 other persons, after an IAF chopper carrying them crashed in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. Confirming the news, the Indian Air Force tweeted, “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.”

As the CDS, Rawat had overseen the implementation of an ambitious tri-services modernisation plan to bring synergy among the armed forces and enhance their overall combat capabilities.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that he is “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”.

The crash took place shortly after the Mi-series chopper took off from the army base in Sulur.

Earlier confirming the crash, the IAF tweeted: “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

Rawat’s wife was a native of Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, and she was the daughter of late politician Mrigendra Singh.

In a series of tweets, the IAF said the Gen Bipin Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today.

“Around noon today, an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN,” it tweeted. “Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington,” the tweet added.

Army Chief Gen MM Naravane and all ranks of the force paid heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Rawat, his wife and 11 others. “The dynamic and inspiring leadership of General Bipin Rawat shall remain eternally etched in our memories. The #IndianArmedForces will forever remain indebted to his invaluable contributions,” the army tweeted.

Rawat and his wife’s cremation will be done on Friday at Brar Square in Delhi Cantonment, and their mortal remains are expected to arrive in the national capital in a military plane by tomorrow evening.

Rawat was India’s first CDS

General Bipin Rawat was the first sitting Chief of Army Staff to hold the position of CDS. The government initially amended Army rules to raise the superannuation age from 62 to 65 years, paving the way for the appointment. The CDS serves as a single point of contact for the government on military matters, with the primary goal of integrating the three services — Army, Navy, and Air Force. He was named the first tri-service chief on December 30, 2019. Rawat also served as the permanent Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC).

Paying rich tributes to Rawat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that he was an outstanding soldier and a true patriot who greatly contributed to modernising India’s armed forces and security apparatus.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his condolences on the demise of Rawat. “A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions and commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained,” Amit Shah said.

Read all the Latest India News here