Defence chief and 12 others killed in chopper accident

The site of the accident near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Pic/PTI

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others were killed in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said. "With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 others died in the unfortunate accident," the IAF said in a tweet.

Gen Bipin Rawat

The copter carrying Gen Rawat and his entourage crashed in apparently foggy conditions, killing the 13 people on board, the IAF and other officials said.

The wreckage near Coonoor

Rawat, 63, was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course when the fatal mishap happened.

Locals, cops at the scene

Group Captain Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC and the sole survivor, was undergoing treatment for injuries at the Military Hospital, Wellington, IAF added.

Soldiers carry a victim through a settlement. Pics/PTI, ANI

The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident, involving a Mi-17VH helicopter which took off from the Sulur IAF Station in nearby Coimbatore.

Gen Rawat and his wife Madhulika

General Rawat's body would be taken to New Delhi on Thursday.

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to Gen Rawat, calling him "an outstanding soldier and a "true patriot". Defence minister Rajnath Singh also visited the residence of Rawat in the national capital and spoke to his daughter.

According to accounts of official sources and a local eyewitnesses here, the helicopter was flying at a low altitude in the foggy conditions when it crashed into a valley, before falling through trees. Fire engulfed the helicopter by the time it landed on the ground.

Although it brushed a house during its fall, there was no human casualty or injury since the inmates were not present at home.

‘Nation has lost one of its bravest sons'

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders across the political spectrum condoled the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat and hailed his contribution to the armed forces as well as the country. Rawat ranked above the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force. J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock over the tragic death of General Rawat and said, "Nation has lost one of its bravest sons."

General Rawat was a polo enthusiast

ON November 21, General Bipin Rawat was the chief guest at the Havana Cavalry Gold Cup 2021 in New Delhi. A great patron of sports, he was particularly keen to encourage equestrian sports and sportsmanship. "Polo is a challenging sport and the Army has a long tradition of associating with it," he said then. "His support was invaluable for the game. General Rawat was a true officer and a gentleman and brought about far-reaching changes in the integration of our armed forces. His passing is a big loss to us all," said Chetan Seth, the host of the Gold Cup.

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- A Correspondent