Govt orders tri-service inquiry about CDS Gen Rawat's chopper crash

The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter crash site in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. Photo: Pallav Paliwal

A tri service enquiry has been ordered regarding the crash of the Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter that claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other defence personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

In his statement to Parliament, Singh had also informed that the IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter took off from Sulur airbase at 11.48 am. It was to land at Wellington at 12.15 pm, but at around 12.08 pm, the helicopter lost contact with air traffic control room of the air base for seven minutes before its scheduled time of landing.

He also said Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support at Military Hospital, Wellington and all efforts are being made to save his life.

The Defence Minister said that the probe will be headed by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.

He added that the IAF inquiry team had reached Wellington on Wednesday and already started investigations.

General Rawat's last rites will be performed with full military honours, Singh told Parliament, adding that the last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate honour.

The Lok Sabha also observed a two-minute silence on the demise of the 13 people in Wednesday's crash of the M 17 helicopter.

Excerpts from his statement in Parliament:

With profound grief and heavy heart, I stand to convey the unfortunate news of the crash of the military helicopter in the noon of 8th December 2021, with India's first Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat onboard.

Gen Bipin Rawat was on a scheduled visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington to interact with the student Officers. The Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter took off from Sulur Air Base at 11:48 am yesterday and was expected to land at Wellington by 12:15 pm.

All those recovered from the wreckage were rushed to the Military Hospital, Wellington. Latest reports have confirmed that out of the total 14 persons onboard the ill-fated helicopter, 13 have succumbed to their injuries.

The dead include the spouse of the CDS, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, his Defence Adviser Brig Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, Staff Officer Lt Col Harjinder Singh and nine other Armed Forces personnel including the Air Force helicopter crew.

The Chief of Defence Staff would be cremated with full military honours.

I, on behalf of the august House, pay homage to the deceased persons and express condolences to the bereaved families.

(With agency inputs)