President Kovind, PM Modi offer condolences on CDS Bipin Rawat's demise

A military helicopter carrying Indian defence chief General Bipin Rawat crashed near the town of Coonoor in southern India on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said.

CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 defence personnel died in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri district. President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Narendra Modi and others expressed condolences.

In other news, as the world is grappling to tackle the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Anthony Fauci's comments come as some reassurance. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director of US, Dr Fauci said emerging evidence suggests that Omicron has increased infectivity but not a "severe profile".  "A study from South Africa shows that there appears to be an increased propensity for reinfection with Omicron among people who were previously infected with other coronavirus variants, such as Beta and Delta." 

Meanwhile, it remains a politically charged environment in the national capital. The suspension of Rajya Sabha MPs is seeing protests from Opposition and decisions are also likely on Farmers' Protests and their future course of action.

08 December 2021

21:33 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on the military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in both the Houses of Parliament tomorrow.   (ANI)

21:32 IST

The bodies would be brought to his house on Friday and people would be allowed to pay last respect from 11 am to 2 pm, followed by a funeral procession which will start from Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.   (ANI)

21:32 IST

Cremation of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife to be done on Friday (December 10) in Delhi Cantonment. Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in the National Capital in a military plane by tomorrow evening.  (ANI)

20:11 IST

Bhutan PM extends condolences over the demise of CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 others. "Heartaching to learn of helicopter crash in India, claiming 13 precious lives, including the CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat and wife. People of Bhutan and I offer prayers for India and the bereaved families."

20:10 IST

In today's Cabinet Committee on Security meeting headed by PM Modi, all members observed two minutes of silence and paid tributes to all those who have lost their lives in the military chopper crash: GoI sources   (ANI)

20:10 IST

The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife along with other armed forces personnel who died today after a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu is expected to arrive in Delhi by Thursday evening, said ANI quoting sources.

19:08 IST

Veteran actor-politician Kamal Haasan shared a photo of Rawat and offered his condolences. "We express our deepest condolences Folded hands," he said in a tweet.

19:07 IST

Actor-politician Urmila Motondkar wrote, "RIP General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 others... Deepest condolences to the family. Om Shanti."

19:04 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). 

18:56 IST

A day every countryman wishes that it never existed. We lost a brave soldier Gen Bipin Rawat who occupied the highest defence position of CDS in helicopter mishap today. We also lost Smt Madhulika Rawat & 12 other brave officers. Pray god for Sadgati to all departed souls. pic.twitter.com/gyPDjSvAgO

— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) December 8, 2021

18:48 IST

Anguished by the demise of India’s first CDS, Gen Bipin Rawat. He served the nation with valour and worked towards strengthening India’s defence apparatus. The country will never forget his exemplary service.

ॐ शांति pic.twitter.com/7xuWlmPK6Z

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) December 8, 2021

18:46 IST

Condolences started pouring in as IAF confirmed the death of CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 other persons.

18:42 IST

President of India Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."

I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 8, 2021

18:41 IST

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident."

A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2021

18:40 IST

"Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu," tweeted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu.

His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 8, 2021

18:39 IST

PM Narendra Modi condoles the death of CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 others.

Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021

18:17 IST

CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other persons onboard the chopper were killed in the crash, confirmed IAF.

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

17:36 IST

Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was pilot of the Mi-17V5 which crashed with 14 personnel on board including CDS Gen Bipin Rawat. He is the Commanding Officer of the 109 Helicopter Unit: Sources  (ANI)

16:50 IST

13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. Identities of the bodies to be confirmed through DNA testing: Sources  (ANI)

15:56 IST

Saddened to hear that the IAF chopper carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat crashed. I am trying to gather more information on the incident. As per preliminary information, he has been taken to hospital for treatment: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai   (ANI)

15:54 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from the residence of CDS Bipin Rawat  (ANI)

15:42 IST

I have reached here (chopper crash site) on the instructions of the CM. Out of the 14 people on board, five people have died and the situation of two others is critical. Rescue operation is underway: Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ramachandran   (ANI)

15:14 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following crash of IAF chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat & others. A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials is underway. Singh has briefed the PM about the crash: Sources   (ANI)

14:53 IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister  Yogi Adityanath inaugurates, lays foundation stones for several developmental projects in Mathura.

CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates, lays foundation stones for several developmental projects in Mathura

What was the Kosi Kalan riot for? A person drinks water outside a Masjid & people beat him up. It felt as if a political 'Kansa' had arrived to trample the public emotions: CM pic.twitter.com/wXDImoAPsH

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 8, 2021

14:42 IST

14 people were on-board the military chopper that crashed between  Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu. Bodies recovered from the site of the crash have been taken to Military Hospital, Wellington in Tamil Nadu, say sources.

14 people were on-board the military chopper that crashed b/w Coimbatore&Sulur in Tamil Nadu. They included CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja & Hav Satpal

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

12:37 IST

Farmers' protests will continue until after government accepts all of our demands... It would be problematic for us if we withdraw our protest, but they don't take back the cases. Government should announce a timeline for the withdrawal of cases: Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni in Delhi.

12:33 IST

Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha have resumed. The entire Opposition, excluding TDP, has boycotted the proceedings of the House.

11:40 IST

Delhi: The meeting of the 5-member committee of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) begins. pic.twitter.com/Im6xJUlWZQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

11:31 IST

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez appears before Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its office in Delhi in connection with Rs 200 crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez appears before Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its office in Delhi in connection with Rs 200 crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar pic.twitter.com/LNd6v5qs2y

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

11:16 IST

A delegation of five TMC MPs to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah today to hand over a memorandum seeking compensation to families of those who died in an anti-insurgency incident which went off script in Nagaland, and asking the government to present its stance on AFSPA: TMC Sources.

11:13 IST

"We must reassess our strategic priorities and realign actions to ensure that we don't get left behind. Our security scenario is influenced by unstable neighbours with unsettled borders, which could be a flashpoint in the future," says Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari in Delhi.

11:11 IST

The Supreme Court stays proceedings arising out of FIRs registered by Tripura police against two journalists over their reports on communal violence in the state; issues notice to the police.

11:08 IST

Narendra Modi is in a meeting with senior ministers from the party.

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi is holding a meeting with senior ministers in Parliament

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Pralhad Joshi, Nirmala Sitharaman are among the attendees pic.twitter.com/usryttSSJ9

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

10:55 IST

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi is currently holding a meeting with senior ministers in Parliament. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Pralhad Joshi, Nirmala Sitharaman are among the attendees, reports ANI.

10:05 IST

Let's honour the 700 farmers who sacrificed their lives (during their stir). Modi government is insensitive towards farmers & common people. The rise in prices of essential commodities is burning the monthly budget of every family, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi at CCP meeting. 

Let's honour the 700 farmers who sacrificed their lives (during their stir). Modi Govt is insensitive towards farmers & common people. The rise in prices of essential commodities is burning the monthly budget of every family: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi at CCP meeting pic.twitter.com/yn6IF82TsP

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

10:02 IST

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda gives adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha for discussing farmers' issues including legal guarantee on MSP, ex-gratia payment to kin of farmers who died during their protest, and withdrawal of cases against them.

09:58 IST

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss Sino-Bhutan MoU on a three-step resolution of boundary disputes, which he says, could lead to the transfer of the strategically important territory of Doklam being transferred to China. 

09:23 IST

India reports 8,439 new COVID-19 cases, 9,525 recoveries, and 195 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 93,733; total recoveries amount to 3,40,89,137; death toll at 4,73,952  and total vaccination at 129.5 crore doses. (ANI)

09:20 IST

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Check Cholan area of Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir today morning.

Jammu and Kashmir: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Check Cholan area of Shopian district today morning

(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/zLqkoRpMYN

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

09:18 IST

Samyukt Kisan Morcha's 5-member committee to hold an urgent meeting in New Delhi at 10 am today.