IAF chopper crash: Rajnath Singh to brief Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha on incident on Thursday

In the latest development, sources have informed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement regarding the IAF chopper crash at Tamil Nadu's Coonoor in both houses of the Parliament on Thursday. The helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor left CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others dead, the IAF confirmed on Wednesday. As per reports, the mortal remains of CDS Gen Rawat and other Armed Forces personnel killed in the crash will be brought to Delhi on Thursday. 

Govt to address Parliament tomorrow on Coonoor IAF chopper crash

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was earlier expected to address the floor of the house on Wednesday after the grim incident that had unfolded on Wednesday afternoon. The Raksha Mantei will address both the houses tomorrow. 

In a fateful accident, an Indian Air Force helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. 13 out of 14 passengers onboard succumbed to the injuries in the crash, as per ANI quoting sources. The rescue operation is going on at the site of the incident. 

The Indian Air Force has issued an order to enquire about the cause of the IAF helicopter crash that took place in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. The chopper crash that took place at upper Coonoor in the Nilgiris district involved an army helicopter with several senior officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on board.

IAF chopper carrying CDS Rawat crashes in Tamil Nadu

A total of 14 persons were on board the Mi-17 V5 helicopter, of which 4 have reportedly died while others sustained serious injuries. The people onboard the IAF helicopter was CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Defence Assistant to CDS Brigadier LS Lidder, SO to CDS Lt. Col. Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B Sai Teja and Havaldar Satpal. The accident occurred between Coimbatore and Sulur at about 12.30 pm, sources said. 

Meanwhile, local military officers are already on the locations. According to local updates, two bodies with 80% burns have already been taken to the local hospitals. Furthermore, more bodies are said to be downhill in the area of accident and efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies and check their identities.