CDS Gen in chopper crash: Aaditya Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi pray for the safety of Bipin Rawat

Bipin Rawat. File Pic/PTI

An IAF chopper with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and staff on board crashed in the Coonoor region of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. A total of 14 people were on board the Indian Air Force helicopter and at least 13 people are reportedly dead in the helicopter crash. The news of the crash was confirmed by the Indian Air Force.

Reacting to this development, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and prayed for the safety of Gen Rawat, his wife and others, who were on board the chopper.

Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray took to social media site Twitter and wrote, "Praying for the safety and well being of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and the rest of his colleagues, on board with him.. (sic)."

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has said that he will be rushing to the spot to monitor rescue operations.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, too, prayed for the safety of Rawat and his family members.

The same sentiment was shared by the Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

"I join millions in praying for the well-being of CDS General Bipin Rawat," wrote Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to reach the military aircraft crash site in Tamil Nadu where the chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat met an accident. Singh is also monitoring the situation and a meeting of senior ministry of defence officials is underway. The Defence Minister has also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash.

With inputs from agencies