Chief of Defense Staff of the Indian Armed Forces General Bipin Rawat has been confirmed dead in a helicopter crash.
According to the Indian Air Force, the Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force had nine persons including General Bipin Rawat and four crew members on board.
The Indian Air Force says General Bipin Rawat was on his way to attend a function at the Defense Services Staff College in the Neelagiri district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu when a helicopter crashed near Connor.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the death of General Bipin Rawat and said that 13 people including General Bipin Rawat and his wife had been killed in the accident.
According to Indian media reports, 13 bodies have been found in the helicopter crash which will be DNA tested for identification.
Earlier, Indian Army Lieutenant General (retd) HS Panag had claimed in a tweet that Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat had been killed in the accident.
Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
In addition, a statement issued by the Indian Air Force said that an inquiry has been launched into the cause of the helicopter crash.
RIP General Bipin Rawat!
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) December 8, 2021
It may be recalled that Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat retired on December 31, 2019 after completing his tenure but Modi Government had appointed him as the first Chief of Defense Staff of the Indian Armed Forces.