Indian army helicopter carrying India’s top military commander and his family crashed in Tamil Nadu
Idia’s top military official was killed when an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying 14 people crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. One survivor with serious injuries is under treatment.
Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat died along with his wife, Madhulika Rawat.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat was travelling in the Mi-17V5 helicopter which crashed on Wednesday.
“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,” the Indian Air Force said on Twitter.
Gen Bipin Rawat was on his way to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when the helicopter crashed.
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister Ramachandran said the rescue operation was immediately launched and the injured had been taken to hospital.
Gen Rawat, 63, was appointed India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.