We already reported that an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with India’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. While many reports stated that he was shifted to a hospital and currently undergoing the treatment for serious burns and injuries, the Indian Air Force has now officially announced that Bipin Rawat has died in the unfortunate accident.
Along with Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have also passed away in the tragic incident. The IAF Twitter handle also informed that Group Captain Varun Singh SC is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.
“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 tweeted.
As per the official update, Bipin Rawat was on his way to Defence Staff College in Wellington from the IAF base in Sulur near Coimbatore when the incident took place. He was the first officer of the Indian armed forces to take over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2019. Meanwhile, an inquiry has been ordered to find out the cause of the accident.