Indian defence chief Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others killed in a Tamil Nadu Helicopter crash will be laid to rest with full military honours.

This was confirmed by Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He said the bodies will be brought to Delhi on Thursday (today) where the funeral ceremony will take place.

Rawat, his wife and 12 defence personnel were onboard the helicopter traveling to a military staff college in Southern India.

Only one person survived the crash. He is an air force group captain who is currently on life support at a military hospital.

Officials said investigation into the incident is underway. All efforts are being made to save his life, Singh said.

The defence minister added, Locals spotted a fire in the forest near Coonoor and rushed to the spot where they observed the wreckage of military helicopter engulfed in flames.

Rawat, 63, served in the army for over four decades. He was appointed as Indias first defence chief in late 2019 by the Modi government. The new position was created in a bid to integrate the army, navy and air force.

Defence Minister Singh, while addressing the parliament, said the Mi-17 V5 helicopter took off at 11:48am on December 8 from the Sulur Air Base.

He added that officials at the base said they lost contact with the aircraft seven minutes before it was scheduled to land.