At least 13 people including Indian Defence Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat were killed when an army helicopter crashed in southern India near the town of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
“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,” confirmed the Indian Air Force (IAF).
“Around noon today, an IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter with a crew of 4 members carrying the CDS and 9 other passengers met with a tragic accident near Coonoor, TN,” the IAF added.
Official sources said Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the prevailing situation.
A meeting is also underway of top defence officials. Sources within the defence department said that Singh has instructed the Air Force chief to visit the crash site.
Indian Gen Rawat was traveling to Defence Services Staff College to deliver a lecture.
He was appointed as the chief of defence staff in 2019. The new position was set up to integrate all the Indian armed forces including army, navy and air force.
