Chopper with CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others on board crashes near Coonoor, IAF orders probe

According to latest report, two persons have died in the crash. However, the condition of Bipin Rawat and his wife is unknown. 

24x7liveindia
Dec 08, 2021 08:24
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Chopper with CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others on board crashes near Coonoor, IAF orders probe

Ooty: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and  Army staff on board, crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. Bipin Rawat was traveling to Wellington Staff College for a lecture on Wednesday.

There were 14 people on-board the military chopper. 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 and Hav Satpal

According to latest report, two persons have died in the crash. However, the condition of Bipin Rawat and his wife is unknown. Some injured people have been taken to hospital.

IAF stated in a  pressnote, "An IAF Mi-17V5 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". 

CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper, reported news agency ANI.  PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are closely monitoring the development regarding the crash involving the country''s top defence official. 

ANI quoting a source reported that the local military officers have reached the location and were told that locals have taken two bodies with 80 per cent burns to a local hospital. Few bodies can be seen downhill in the area of the accident. Efforts are on to retrieve the bodies and check identities.