IAF helicopter crash: PM Modi pays tribute to Gen Bipin Rawat & other martyrs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paying his tributes to the slain warriors from the horrific chopper crash

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at Palam Airport to pay tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other slain heroes from the chopper crash. 

As mortal remains of 13 bravehearts including CDS General Bipin Rawat arrive in Delhi, Senior officers, family members pay their respects and bid them farewell. 

IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other slain Bravehearts from the Coonoor chopper crash, arrives at Palam Airbase in Delhi

Mortal remains of Gen Bipin Rawat is being laid in state for all to pay their last respects at his residence (No 3 Kamaraj Marg) on 10 Dec 2021. 

Broad timings 

• 1100 hours to 1230 hours  - Civil dignitaries and citizens
• 1230 hours to  1330 hours - Military Personnel

The final journey of Gen Bipin Rawat from his residence to the Brar Square Crematorium is scheduled to start from his residence at about 1400 hours.

Post-arrival of mortal remains of those killed in IAF chopper crash, a silent wreath will be laid by the dignitaries at Palam Technical Area. 

Location: Brar square cemetery is the location where CDS Bipin Rawat and others killed in the IAF chopper crash will be cremated.

PM Modi will reach the location around the afternoon, President Kovind will also be present at the spot. 

Around 2 PM CDS, Bipin Rawat will be cremated
 

As a mark of respect Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan will send top Army officials to CDS General Bipin Rawat's cremation on Friday. 

The Indian Airforce aircraft from Sulur is expected to arrive at Palam airbase by 1940 hours today. Shradhanjali ceremony is scheduled from 2030 hours onwards. Positive identification of only three mortal remains has been possible as of now (Gen Bipin  Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat & Brig LS Lidder) and their mortal remains will be released to the Next of Kin, for final religious rites as desired by respective families. The process for positive identification of remaining mortal remains is continuing. Mortal remains will be kept at the Mortuary of Army Base Hospital till the completion of positive identification formalities. Appropriate military funerals of all deceased are being planned and coordinated in close consultation with close family members.

The mortal remains of CDS, his wife and other Armed Forces personnel will reach Delhi around 8 PM today. Some of the family members of the personnel killed in the military aircraft crash will also be present. Army sources earlier informed that the identification of the bodies was proving to be difficult because of the severity of the crash. They, however, assured that all measures were being taken for positive identification considering the sensitivities and emotional well-being of the loved ones. 

"Assistance of close family members for positive identification will be taken in addition to scientific measures. Mortal remains will be released to the Next of Kin only after positive identification," the Army sources said. They added, "Appropriate military rites of all personnel will be ensured in consultation with close relatives once the process of positive identification is completed." 

Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was the pilot of the ill-fated Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter that crashed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. 

The family of the 42-year-old, who was the pilot of the IAF helicopter that crashed, had migrated to Agra from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh back in 2006. Wing Commander Chauhan had joined the Indian Air Force in Hyderabad in 2000 and was posted at the Indian Airforce station in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Chauhan studied at Sainik School in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa. His journey in service for the nation began when he secured a seat at the National Defence Academy (NDA) before passing out and joining IAF in 2000. 

Reports have stated that Chuahan’s first posting was in Hyderabad. He was then stationed at several other locations including Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Andaman and Nicobar. During his service of more than two decades, Wing Commander was even sent to Sudan for a year-long special training.

Chauhan became a commissioned officer on 22 June 2002  and was ultimately promoted to Wing Commander in 2015. Presently, he was the Commanding Officer of the 109 helicopter Unit. In personal life, Chauhan married Kamini in 2007 and the couple has a 12-year-old daughter Aaradhya. He was born and raised in Agra and his parents still reside in the Saran Nagar area.

Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC, Srinagar's Chinar Corps, paid homage to late CDS Gen Bipin Rawat at Sherwani Community Hall, Baramulla and said, "The connection he had with the people of Uri, Baramulla &Kashmir was like no other. We'll take time to recover from this loss".

A case was registered by the police on Thursday in connection with the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crash near here on December 8 that killed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others, and initiated a probe into the matter.

The Nilgiris district police registered the FIR under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and ADSP Muthumanikam was appointed as the investigation officer, official sources said. A probe is underway.

Police were using drone camera near the crash site as part of the investigation.

An IAF helicopter crashed at Katteri-Nanjappanchathram near here on Wednesday, killing India's first CDS, General Rawat, his wife and 11 other military personnel, with only one of the 14 passengers in the copter surviving the crash.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told Parliament that a tri-services inquiry led by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh has started investigation into the crash.

Meanwhile, two minor accidents were reported when the bodies of the crash victims were being transported to Coimbatore, from where they would be flown to New Delhi.

In one of the incidents in Karamadai, on the outskirts of Coimbatore, an ambulance carrying the body of one of the deceased hit another moving in the front. 

As a result, the vehicle got stuck and the mortal remains were shifted to another ambulance to be taken to the Sulur Air base in the city for the onward journey to the national capital, officials said. 

Earlier, a police vehicle, escorting the ambulances carrying the bodies, met with an accident near Barliar. A few policemen sustained minor injuries, they said. 

Meanwhile,  in order to pay homage and as a mark of respect to the crash victims, shops, commercial establishments and hotels in Udhagamandalam in the Nilgiris decided to down shutters on Friday. 

Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, is 17 km away from the crash site and is a sought-after tourist destination.

1st Chief of Defence Staff

On December 30, 2019, General Bipin Rawat was appointed as India's first Chief of Defence Staff and he assumed office from January 1, 2020. The Government of India had issued a notification amending the Army Rules 1954 to extend the age of superannuation from 62 years to 65 years, paving the way for his appointment as the CDS.

As part of the post he held till the end of his life - December 8, 2021, General Rawat served as the one-point advisor to the government on matters related to Defence and functioned with the main aim of integrating the three services — Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Major Designations

From December 31, 2016- December 31, 2019, General Bipin Rawat held the coveted position of the 27th Chief of the Army Staff. He succeeded General Dalbir Singh Suhag to the post while he was succeeded by General MM Naravane. 

From September  27, 2019- December 31, 2019, General Bipin Rawat also served as the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.

From September 1, 2016- December 31, 2016, General Bipin Rawat served as the Vice-Chief of Army Staff. 

Ranks

On January 1, 2017- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the honorary rank of General. 

On June 1, 2014- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Lieutenant-General. 

On October 20, 2011- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Major General. 

On October 1, 2008- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Brigadier. 

On August 1, 2003- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Colonel. 

On June 1, 1998- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

On December 16, 1989- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Major.

On July 31, 1984- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Captain. 

On December 16, 1980- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Lieutenant.

On December 16, 1978- Bipin Rawat was conferred with the rank of Second Lieutenant. 

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Rawat was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978 in the same unit as his father, the fifth battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles.

As the CDS, General Rawat was the chief of tri-service (Army, Navy and Air Force). He was a one-point advisor to the Centre on matters pertaining to the military. During his tenure as CDS, General Rawat took several key decisions including an action plan on China's transgression.

General Bipin Rawat: The 1st CDS of India

In the last 2 years, there have been a few confrontations with the Chinese Army, including a violent clash last year in Galwan Valley in Leh and Ladakh which led to the deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers by both sides. The General had since then prepared the armed force to deal with People's Liberation Army transgression head-on if required. He was also of the belief that military option was available to deal with PLA's transgression if talks between both the countries failed to fructify.

In June this year, taking a jibe at China, Gen Rawat, who was part of the top military brass strategising on the Sino-India border issue, had said, "Chinese deployment on border with India has undergone a change, especially after incidents that happened in Galwan and other areas in May and June 2020. Thereafter, they realized that they need to be better trained and better prepared."

In October 2021, the General had called out China for providing continuous support to Pakistan to facilitate violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 

General Rawat was also the brain behind the surgical strike against Pakistan during his term as Vice Chief of Army Staff in 2016, in which Indian forces went across LoC into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was reported that General Rawat was monitoring the developments from New Delhi.

All 13 bodies including that of Gen Rawat, his wife & Brig LS Lidder are being brought in an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from Sulur to Delhi. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State Defence Ajay Bhatt and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval among others are expected to pay tribute to the mortal remains of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other personnel at the Palam Technical Area today evening, as per sources. 

Locals showered flower petals at the ambulances carrying the mortal remains of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel who died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. 

Mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other defence personnel arrived in 13 ambulances at the Sulur Air Base, Coimbatore. From here, the bodies will be flown in a military plane to New Delhi. 

People mourn the demise of Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh at his native city, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. He lost his life in the chopper crash. Breaking News: One year on, farmers call off agitation

"It's a huge setback for us & the whole nation to lose such a capable officer. We'll never forget their sacrifice," said Cousin of Sqn Ldr K Singh

• Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari at IAF helicopter crash site to monitor the probe
• Air Marshal Manvendra Singh has been appointed to head the tri-services inquiry into the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crash that has killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other military personnel on Wednesday.

A probe into the matter was announced by IAF on December 8 after the IAF Mi-17V5 chopper crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, the Defence Minister informed Parliament that the inquiry will be headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, who is Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command (AOC-in-C).

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with India over the crash of an Air Force helicopter in Tamil Nadu that killed many people, including India's CDS General Bipin Rawat, and a number of army officers. 

Enroute Sulur Airbase, the people of Mettupalayam paid their floral tribute to the convoys carrying CDS General Bi[in Rawat and other defence personnel. 

IAF Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others, is being shifted to Bengaluru from the Army hospital at Wellington in Tamil Nadu, his father said on Thursday. 

Talking to PTI over the phone, Group Captain Varun Singh's father Colonel K P Singh (retired), who is a resident of Bhopal, said, He is being shifted to Bengaluru. I have reached Wellington." Asked about his son's condition, he said, "I can't say anything about that...I am not sure." 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with officers and staff of Raj Bhavan today condoled the sad demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Mrs Madhulika Rawat and other officials of the defence services.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and apprise him of the details of the Coonoor chopper crash. 

The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other defence personnel are being taken to the Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore by road. From there, the bodies of the war heroes will then be flown in a military plane to New Delhi.

An artist from Amroha, Zoyab Khan, paid tribute to the late Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, with an 8 feet charcoal portrait.

Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor Puducherry Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan paid floral tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat and others who died in the Coonoor chopper crash, at Madras Regimental Centre in Nilgiris district.

Spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday condoled the demise of CDS General Rawat and other victims of the deadly helicopter crash that took place in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. 

"I pray for the general and his companions and offer my heartfelt condolences to the members of the families of all those who perished in this unfortunate accident," the Dalai Lama said. "I salute General Rawat's longstanding contribution in the service of the nation," he added

The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other defence personnel will be escorted to the Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore by road. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan grieved the demise of JWO Rana Pratap Das who lost his life along with CDS Gen Rawat, his wife and other defence personnel in the unfortunate chopper crash yesterday. Pradhan said Das was from his hometown in Talcher, Odisha.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin paid tributes to CDS General Rawat and other defense officials who lost their lives in the fatal helicopter crash in Conoor on Wednesday. 

Tri services inquiry has been ordered by the IAF headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding in Chief Training Command to investigate the fatal helicopter crash, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. The inquiry team reached Wellington yesterday itself and started the investigation, he added.

The country lost 13 top defense officials including CDS General Bipin Rawat in the deadly crash. The only survivor of the accident, Captain Varun Singh is on life support and efforts are being made to treat him at the earliest, said Singh. 

Rajya Sabha observes two-minute silence on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other personnel in a military helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on behalf of the House members, paid heartfelt tributes to CDS Bipin Rawat and all other victims of the IAF helicopter crash. The Speaker also prayed for the speedy recovery of Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the deadly crash. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the Lok Sabha on the ill-fated IAF helicopter crash that killed 13 officials of the defence staff, including CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat. 

All 12 Opposition MPs who had been holding a dharna outside the Parliament over their suspension from Rajya Sabha, will participate in the session today. The MPs will attend Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's address on the IAF helicopter crash that killed CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 other officials. 

"We've decided not to protest (against the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs) today in honour of CDS Bipin Rawat and the soldiers who died in the chopper crash, and to pay tribute to them. We'll also attend Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's address," said Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

Republic has accessed visuals showing the final moments of the Mi-17 chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat and 13 others just before it crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu yesterday. In the video recorded by locals, the chopper is seen disappearing in the fog in the Nilgiri Hills seconds after which a loud bang is heard in the background. 

PM Narendra Modi is holding a meeting with senior ministers in Parliament. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Pralhad Joshi, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Anurag Singh Thakur are among the attendees. Today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to issue a statement in both houses on the tragic IAF helicopter crash in which the country lost 13 top defence officials including CDS General Bipin Rawat.

Bodies of those who died in the military chopper crash yesterday have been brought to Madras Regimental Centre from Military Hospital, Wellington in Nilgiris district. Wreath-laying to take place at Wellington before the mortal remains are taken to the Sulur Airfield to be flown to New Delhi later today. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to arrive at the regimental Centre to pay tributes to General Rawat and 12 officials who lost their lives in the fateful crash on Wednesday.

Mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat and 12 other defence officials were laid at the Military hospital in Wellington for soldiers to pay tributes. Wreath-laying of war heroes with full military honours also took place at the hospital grounds. 

The investigation officials have found the black box of the IAF helicopter which crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday, killing CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 other officials of the defense force. The black box or flight data recorded of the Mi17 chopper will hold answers to the events that took place minutes before the tragedy unfolded. Fragments of the helicopter were already recovered by the IAF team yesterday. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make statements on the tragic events of the IAF helicopter crash in both houses of Parliament today. He is expected to address the Lok Sabha at 11.AM followed by the Rajya Sabha. India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and 13 others were killed in the helicopter crash in the forests of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8. The Raksha Mantri had attended the CCS meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in the immediate aftermath of the CDS' demise being announced by the IAF.

Arrangements are being made at the Madras regimental Centre Wellington where the mortal remains of the CDS General Bipin Rawat his wife and 11 personnel from Armed Forces will be kept before being taken to Sulur Airfield. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to arrive at the regimental Centre to pay tributes to General Rawat and 12 officials who lost their lives in the fateful crash on Wednesday.

IAF Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the ill-fated helicopter crash that killed 13 defense officials including CDS General Bipin Rawat is in critical condition, his family says. After being operated on last night, Captain Varun Singh was moved to the ICU and doctors have said the next 48 hours are crucial. The IAF Captain's family members and people in his native village Kanhauli in Deoria are praying for the speedy recovery of the official. 

"Varun is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. It's God's grace that he survived," says his uncle Dinesh Pratap Singh

A team of Tamil Nadu forensic science department arrived at the helicopter crash location in Conoor, to inspect the wreckage of Mi 17 V5 chopper that was carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat along with 12 other Defence officials. The Indian Air Force (IAF) team investigating the Coonoor chopper crash has successfully recovered parts of the helicopter but the black box has not been found yet. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make statements on the tragic events of the IAF helicopter crash in both houses of Parliament today. He is expected to address the Rajya Sabha at 11.30 AM and the Lok Sabha at 12.15 PM. India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and 13 others were killed in the helicopter crash in the forests of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8. The Raksha Mantri had attended the CCS meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in the immediate aftermath of the CDS' demise being announced by the IAF.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressing shock and sadness over the tragic crash of IAF chopper in which 13 people on board were killed including CDS Gen Bipin Rawat.

In the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash in the Coonoor district of Tamil Nadu, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres mourned the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday. Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that Guterres expresses his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased, to the people, and to the Government of India. 

Notably, General Rawat was Brigade Commander of the North Kivu Brigade of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo (MONUC) between 2008 and 2009.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of my friend Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat...," Admiral John Aquilino, Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will on Thursday make statements on the tragic events of the IAF helicopter crash in both houses of Parliament. CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others were killed in a helicopter crash in the forests of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8. The Raksha Mantri had attended the CCS meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in the immediate aftermath of the CDS' demise being announced by the IAF.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has arrived at the helicopter crash site in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. He will be leading the investigation into the Mi-17 chopper crash which killed 13 Defence personnel including Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat on December 8. 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) team investigating the Coonoor chopper crash has successfully recovered parts of the IAF Mi 17 V5 helicopter but the black box has not been recovered yet. 

The cremation of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat who died in a chopper crash on Wednesday will be performed on Friday, December 10. Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in New Delhi on a military plane by Thursday evening.

As per ANI, the bodies will be brought to their residence on Friday and people would be allowed to pay last respect from 11 am to 2 pm, followed by a funeral procession which will start from New Delhi's Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi cantonment.

STATEMENT BY INDIAN ARMY

General MM Naravane and all ranks of the Indian Army express their deepest grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, President DWWA, and 11 other military personnel in an unfortunate air accident today on 08 Dec.

General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far-reaching reforms in the Indian military's higher defence organisation. He was instrumental in creating the foundation of India's joint theatre commands and giving impetus to the increased indigenization of military equipment, a legacy that will be carried on and strengthened by successive generations.

Mrs Madhulika Rawat, also the former President AWWA was an epitome of grace whose presence will be missed by everyone. 

The deceased 11 military personnel accompanying the CDS and President DWWA on the way to Wellington will also be equally missed by everyone. They performed their duties as per the best traditions of the Armed Forces.