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First CDS Gen Bipin Rawat passes away in chopper crash

Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was killed in a military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday afternoon, along with his wife and officers in his staff.

, and Shruthi Ranganathan

December 8, 2021 . 10:27 AM

(L) Wreckage of the crashed IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 (Source: Special arrangement) (R) File Photo of Indian Chief of the Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat during 89th Airforce Day Parade at the Hindon Airbase near New Delhi on Oct. 8, 2021 (Photograph: Rajeev Bhatt)

An Indian Air Force Helicopter carrying the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and 13 others crashed near the Coonoor region in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu shortly before it was supposed to land on Wednesday afternoon. Thirteen people died in the accident, including 63-year-old General Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat.

"An IAF Mi-17 V5 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," tweeted the Indian Air Force.