The Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed in the Coonoor area of Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, causing the loss of life of first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat along with 11 soldiers.
General Bipin Laxman Singh Rawat served as the first Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020. Before appointing as the CDS, he served as 57th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as well as the 26th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. General Bipin Rawat was conferred with Awards
Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has given full details of the helicopter accident in the Lok Sabha. He said that the Mi 17 helicopter took off from Sulur at 11:48 am. It was supposed to land in Wellington at 12:15 but lost contact with air traffic control at 12:08. General Bipin Rawat was on one of his scheduled events to interact with the students of Defense College, Wellington.
The Funeral will be held on December 10
The mortal remains of India’s first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat will reach Delhi by military aircraft today (December 9) and General Rawat’s body will be kept at his residence for the public to see. People will be able to give their last salute from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow. General Rawat and his wife will be cremated tomorrow in Delhi.
Today’s morning black box of the crashed M-17 helicopter of CDS General Bipin Rawat has been recovered by a team of 25 Air Force officers. The investigation of the helicopter crash is going on under the leadership of Air Force Wing Commander Bharadwaj. It is believed that the investigation will make it easier to find out the cause of the accident.