Israel condoles tragic demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, calls him 'true partner' of IDF

India’s first-ever Chief Defense of Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat passed away on Wednesday after a helicopter carrying him, his wife Madhulika, an Army brigadier and 10 others staffers crashed in a heavily forested area in western Tamil Nadu. Soon after, the State of Israel released an online statement condoling the death of the four-star military official. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Indian people following the tragic accident today in which 13 people were killed, including Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat & his wife Madhulika Rawat. Om Shanti,” the statement read. 

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defence Minister Benny Gantz also took to Twitter to express their grief over the unexpected tragedy.  Highlighting that Rawat was poised to visit Israel soon, Gantz said that he was pivotal in strengthening the security relationship between both counties. The feeling was echoed by Lapid who released a tweet in both English and Hindi. 

The Tragic Crash

On Wednesday, December 8, General Bipin Rawat along with his wife Madhulika Rawat who served as the President of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), were on their way to Wellington, Tamil Nadu. The CDS was poised to deliver a lecture at Defence Services Staff College the Nilgiri town. At 11.35 AM, the CDS landed in Sulur after which he departed for Wellington on a helicopter by 11.45 AM. The tragic crash is said to have taken place at 12.20 PM, just minutes before the chopper was to land. 

Career Highlights of General Rawat

General Rawat had played a critical role in countering insurgencies in the Northeastern part of India; especially in the state of Nagaland. In 2015, III-Corps of the Indian Army successfully responded to an ambush by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) militants. Adding to Gen Rawat’s operational experience is his time commanding the infantry Battalion along the line of actual control in the Eastern Sector. In addition, he led the Rashtriya Rifles Sector in Kashmir Valley. 

In the following year, the military General actively participated in the planning and execution of a surgical strike on Pakistan's terror launchpads, which took place in the aftermath of the Uri terror attacks. Rawat had continuously monitored the whole operation from the South Block. 

(Image: AP/PTI)