Military chopper with CDS Bipin Rawat on board crashes in Tamil Nadu

Apart from Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, several other senior officers are supposed to have been on the chopper too

Pic: File Photo

Coonoor (Tamil Nade): A military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu with senior officials on board. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some of his family members were in the Mi-series chopper that crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur. Developments later in the day confirmed that General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others were killed in the chopper crash. General Rawat was 63.

An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

As per sources, a total of 14 people including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his family members and staff, Defence Assistant, security commandos and IAF pilots were on board the chopper. 

#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.

(Video Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J — ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

The local military officers have reached the location and were told that locals have taken a few bodies with 80% burns to a local hospital. Some bodies can be seen downhill in the area of the accident. Efforts are on to retrieve the bodies and check identities. These are all according to sources, further official confirmations are awaited.