India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city. The Air Force said on Twitter that the Chief of Defence Staff was on the flight.
The Air Force said Group Captain Varun Singh with injuries is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
The Air Force had earlier confirmed that a Russian-made Mi-17 V5 helicopter with CDS Rawat on board had “met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu”. The IAF has also said that it had ordered an inquiry into what happened.
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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
