Bipin Rawat Death Updates: 3 Service Chiefs Pay Last Respects To Late CDS, Cremation On Friday
Bipin Rawat Helicopter Crash LIVE Updates: This LIVE Blog brings to you the latest updates from the chopper crash of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat.
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At 7:46 pm, the mortal remains of the crash victims were brought to the Palam airport from the Sulur airbase near Coimbatore. Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari brought the mortal remains of all the deceased.
Meanwhile, all possible measures are being taken for positive identification of the mortal remains. The remaining mortal remains will be kept at the mortuary of Army Base Hospital till the completion of positive identification formalities.
The 3 service chiefs - Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar & IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari pay last respects to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat & other 11 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in military chopper crash yesterday.
NSA Ajit Doval pays tributes to CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other 11 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the IAF chopper crash yesterday.
As per the protocol, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the second to pay tribute to General Bipin Rawat and 12 others after PM Modi. 13 out of 14 people on board an IAF chopper died near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor district on Wednesday.
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari brought the mortal remains of all the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior dignitaries will pay homage to the country's first Chief of Defence Staff, and the other deceased persons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at Delhi's Palam Airport to pay tribute to Late CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others who lost their lives in an IAF chopper crash near Coonoor district in Tamil Nadu on December 8.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived at Delhi's Palam Airport where mortal remains of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others have been kept. PM Modi is scheduled to visit the venue shortly.
CDS Gen Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, L/Nk Vivek Kr, NK Gurushewak Singh, L/Nk BS Teja, Naik Jitender Kr, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Brig LS Lidder, Hav Satpal Raj, Wg Cdr PS Chauhan, Sqn Leader K Singh, JWO Rana Pratap Das & JWO Pradeep A lost their lives in Tamil Nadu chopper crash yesterday.
Bodies of only CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brigadier LS Lidder and Lance Naik Vivek Kumar have been identified so far.
Meanwhile, the government is set to begin the process soon to appoint the next Chief of Defence Staff with Army Chief Gen MM Naravane emerging as the front-runner for the top post that fell vacant following the demise of Gen Bipin Rawat in a tragic helicopter crash.
The move by the government comes even as a number of retired military commanders said it will be prudent to appoint Gen Naravane to the top military post as he is retiring as the Chief of Army Staff in five months. (PTI)
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has arrived at the Palam airport to pay last respects to Late CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others who were killed in an IAF chopper crash on December 8. Doval is currently speaking to the relatives of those who were killed in the mishap.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and PM Modi are expected to arrive at the Palam airbase shortly.
The mortal remains of Lance Naik Vivek Kumar have also been kept at Palam airbase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders from Central government are expected to arrive at the venue shortly. Meanwhile, Army Chief MM Naravane is present at the Palam airport.
Mortal remains of Late Chief Of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and other victims have arrived at Delhi's Palam Airport.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met the family of late CDS General Bipin Rawat today and extended his condolences over the demise of the CDS and his wife Madhulika Rawat in the military chopper crash yesterday.
Civilians can pay tribute to CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat from 1100-1230 hours at CDS Karaj marg residence tomorrow. Military personnel can pay respects between 1230-1330 hours. Thereafter, the mortal remains will be taken in a gun carriage for the funeral in Delhi Cantt Brar Square.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft from Sulur is expected to arrive at Palam airbase by 1940 hours today. 'Shradhanjali ceremony' is scheduled from 2030 hours onwards: Indian Army
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: Indian Army
PM Modi to pay respects to late CDS Bipin Rawat and other Armed Forces personnel at around 9 pm today. Defence Minister, Minister of State for Defence, National Security Advisor and three Services chiefs will also be present.
The mortal remains of CDS 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, news agency ANI reported.
CCS will decide who will be the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) after the tragic demise of General Bipin Rawat in an IAF chopper crash on December 8. According to sources close to ABP News, the Ministry of Defense will send the name to CCS and after that, the name of the next CDS will be stamped.
The next CDS can be the serving officer or a retired officer. There is no time limit for the appointment of CDS, the government can wait till the suitable candidate is found.
According to news agency ANI, Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the Coonoor military chopper crash, has been shifted to Command Hospital, Bengaluru for further treatment.
Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the helicopter crash in which CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 others were killed, is critical and has been airlifted to Bengaluru.
An ambulance took Group Captain Singh from a military hospital in Wellington to the Sulur Air Base, from where he was airlifted to Bengaluru. He will be treated at the Command Hospital in Bengaluru.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is most likely to arrive at Delhi's Palam Airport to pay tribute to CDS Bipin Rawat and other victims who lost their lives in tragic IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu yesterday.
According to inputs, Gen Rawat's mortal remains will reach Palam Airport by 7:30 pm.
The 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, sources told ABP News.
Appropriate military rites of all personnel will be ensured in consultation with close relatives once the process of positive identification is completed.
ABP News has been informed that the severity of air crash has led to difficulty in positive identification of mortal remains. All possible measures are being taken for positive identification considering the sensitivities and emotional well-being of the loved ones.
Meanwhile, close family members of all the deceased personnel are arriving in Delhi. All necessary assistance and support are being provided.
One of the vehicles carrying the mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 other officers met with an accident. The incident took place at Burliyar near Mettapalayam in Coimbatore. The accident is said to be a minor one, following which mortals were shifted to another ambulance.
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 told PTI.
Talking to PTI over 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."
Governor of Telangana & 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.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha announced that Air Marshal Manvendra Singh is heading the tri-services inquiry into the IAF Mi-17 that crashed yesterday and left CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others dead.
Manvendra Singh is Commander of the Indian Air Force’s training command and is a helicopter pilot himself.
"Group captain Varun Singh on life support and his treatment is underway at Wellington hospital," said the Defence Minister in Lok Sabha today.
Mortal remains to reach Delhi today
"Bipin Rawat's last rites to be held tomorrow with full state honours," Rajnath Singh tells Parliament.
Military investigation to understand the cause of mishap underway.
Rajnath Singh was Live In Lok Sabha
The investigation team has possession of the black box that was recovered from the crash site of Gen. Bipin Rawat. It is believed that Black box would reveal the cause of crash of CDS' chopper.
What is a Black Box?
It is "instrument that records the performance and condition of an aircraft in flight. Governmental regulatory agencies require these devices on commercial aircraft to make possible the analysis of crashes or other unusual occurrences," as stated in Britannica.
A Black Box has been recovered from the helicopter crash site according to ABP News.
Investigation officers are now in possession of the box.
Condolences over the demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat poured in from several countries, including the US, Russia, China and Pakistan.
The US Embassy in New Delhi extended its deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the crash.
As India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military, the US mission said in a statement.
Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong extended "deep condolences on the sad demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other victims in the helicopter crash".
"My sympathy goes to all the family members of General Bipin Rawat," he said.
Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering said it was heart aching to learn of the helicopter crash.
"People of Bhutan and I offer prayers for India and the bereaved families. May you find the strength to see through the tragedy," he said.
Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said he was deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials.
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Indian Armed Forces," he said.
British High Commissioner Alex Ellis also condoled Gen Rawat's demise and hailed him as a wise man and brave soldier.
"Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer and a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident," Ellis tweeted.
Russian Envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said with the deepest regret, he learnt about the sudden demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and other officers in the crash.
India has lost its great patriot and dedicated hero, Kudashev said.
"Russia has lost a very close friend, who played a big role in the promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership. Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander!" he tweeted.
Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell expressed deepest sympathies to the families of Rawat and others on the helicopter.
Australia-India relationship has thrived during General Rawat's tenure, he said.
French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Indian Armed Forces."
"We will remember CDS Rawat as a great military leader and a supporter of Flag of France-India defence ties," he said.
European Union's envoy to India Ugo Astuto also extended heartfelt condolences to the family of Gen Rawat, his wife and families of armed forces personnel who lost their lives.
Japanese envoy to India Satoshi Suzuki said he was deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Rawat, his wife and 11 Armed Forces personnel in an unfortunate accident.
"I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of the people killed in the accident," he said.
Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon said he is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths in the chopper crash.
"The people of Israel stand side by side with the Indian people and government in mourning the death of Indian heroes. Om Shanti," he tweeted.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz also extended condolences to the people of India over Gen Rawat's demise.
Pakistan's top military brass also expressed condolences over the "tragic death" of Rawat.
German Ambassador to India Walter Lindner said tweeted, "What tragic news! Our deepest condolences to General Bipin Rawat's family and all relatives of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu."
Pakistan Army's spokesman in a short statement posted on Twitter said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M) Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, also expressed his condolences on the tragic death of Gen Rawat, his spouse, and 11 others.
Singapore mission in India said it was saddened to learn that the chief of defence staff and others on board the chopper have passed.
"Had the honour of meeting Gen Rawat several times. His vision, candour and warmth will be missed. Deepest condolences to all grieving this terrible loss," it said.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar have expressed deep anguish over death of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
Punjab Chief Minister's Office said Channi also expresses deep anguish over the tragic death of NK Gursewak Singh from Dode village in Tarn Taran.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday extended condolences over the sudden demise of CDS Bipin Rawat in an IAF chopper crash near Coonoor district in Tamil Nadu.
Three-day State mourning in Uttarkhand on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other Armed Forces personnel in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu earlier today: Abhinav Kumar, Additional Principal Secy to Uttarakhand CM
Cremation of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife to be done on Friday (December 10) in Delhi Cantonment. Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in the National Capital in a military plane by tomorrow evening.
The bodies would be brought to his house 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 Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.
A man who lives near the site where an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying CDS Gen Bipin Rawat among 14 others crashed on Wednesday, said he saw 12 bodies scattered near the site of the accident.
Ravi, who lives near the crash site at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, told IANS: "I heard a loud sound and found the helicopter in flames and coming down. I rushed to the spot with a few local residents and found 12 charred bodies... we rescued two persons but they were struggling for life. An ambulance took them to the Army hospital, Wellington."
During the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was decided that as a mark of respect, the government will announce national mourning on Thursday. A discussion was also held over selecting the next Chief of Defence Staff designate.
The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife along with other Armed Forces personnel killed in the chopper crash expected to arrive in Delhi by evening tomorrow.
The Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was briefed on Wednesday about a military helicopter crash that led to the death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and other defence personnel near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
Besides PM Modi, the meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, official sources close to news agency PTI said.
The sources said the top cabinet brass expressed condolences on the death of General Rawat.
Commending Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, for serving the country with exceptional courage; West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed grief at his untimely demise.
He prayed for the speedy recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh, who is currently undergoing treatment.
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 indigenisation of military equipment, a legacy which 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.
Last rites of CDS Bipin Rawat will take place in the national capital tomorrow. Meanwhile, PM Modi has chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in New Delhi today.
As India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service, PM Modi tweeted.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoles the sudden demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said. It said Group Captain Varun Singh with injuries is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
It has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.
Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was pilot of the Mi-17V5 which crashed with 14 personnel on board including CDS Gen Bipin Rawat. He is the Commanding Officer of the 109 Helicopter Unit: Sources
Thirteen of the 14 people on board the IAF helicopter that crashed in Tamil Nadu have been killed, news agency PTI quoted Nilgiris Collector as saying. He also informed that the one who has survived is a male.
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting is scheduled to be held at 6:30 pm today in connection with the IAF helicopter crash ferrying CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ended midway an administrative review meeting on Monday as soon as she came to know that an army chopper, with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat on board, crashed in Tamil Nadu.
"We have received sad news. I am shocked. I have no words to express my grief. I am ending this meeting," she said and left the venue of the meeting.
Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said information about the helicopter accident in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu will be shared by the ministry concerned at an appropriate time.
The entire information about the accident that has taken place will be shared by the concerned ministry at an appropriate time, Thakur told reporters when asked about the helicopter crash involving Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat.
As per latest inputs, Army Chief General MM Naravane has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the incident of the crash of a military chopper in Tamil Nadu, which was also carrying CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others
- Delhi Departure – Spl aircraft - Wednesday around 9 am
- 9 persons including Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife onboard
- Arrival AF Station Sulur – 11.35 am
- Departure to Willington by Helicopter – 11.45 am
- 9 persons including Gen Bipin Rawat and wife + 5 crew members - total: 14
- Accident took place – Nanchapa Chatharam, Katteri area at 12.20 pm
- Distance between Arrival AF Station Sulur – Accident spot about 94 KM
- Distance between accident spot – Wellington Army camp about 16 KM
- Time to reach Wellington Army camp from accident spot is just 5 minutes
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am on December 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was supposed to brief the Parliament today on CDS Bipin Rawat's helicopter crash in Coonoor. However, now reports suggest that Singh will brief the Parliament tomorrow.
Central minister Anurag Thakur has said that all information about the Coonoor chopper crash will be shared by the concerned ministry at the right time.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday has left for Coimbatore en route Coonoor to visit the site of the crash of the IAF helicopter, carrying Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and others.
He will be reaching Coimbatore in an aircraft and from there he will reach Coonoor by road and is likely to reach the place of the helicopter crash by evening.
Saddened to hear that the IAF chopper carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat crashed. I am trying to gather more information on the incident. As per preliminary information, he has been taken to hospital for treatment: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai
So far, Tamil Nadu government has claimed 8 deaths in the helicopter crash. Treatment of others injured in the incident is underway.
Before briefing the Parliament about the Coonoor Helicopter crash, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stopped at the residence of CDS Bipin Rawat in New Delhi.
Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 others were in the chopper when it crashed while proceeding to Wellington.
I have reached here (chopper crash site) on the instructions of the CM. Out of the 14 people on board, eight people have died and the situation of two others is critical. Rescue operation is underway: Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ramachandran
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following crash of IAF chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat & others. A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials is underway. Singh has briefed the PM about the crash, sources close to news agency ANI informed.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is said to be critically injured in the Indian Air Force helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor. According to reports, Rawat is undergoing treatment at a military hospital.
According to the latest inputs available with ABP News, 8 casualties have reached MH Wellington Hospital in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu out of which 5 are said to be in fatal condition.
Additionally, three of the casualties are on life support system with 85 per cent burns. All three are said to be male. No identity can be established as of now.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will brief parliament on the crash of an army chopper in Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. The chopper had Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his staff and family members on board, reported All India Radio News.
TN CM MK Stalin orders high level treatment to CDS and instructed Health secretary to depute equipped medical team at Nilgiris to assist
CM also spoke to DM Amrith & instructed them to speed up rescue operation
"Shocked to hear about the tragic crash of helicopter with CoDS Shri Bipin Rawat ji on board. I pray for everyone's safety, wellbeing," tweeted Nitin Gadkari.
Rahul Gandhi’s Tweets
"Hoping for the safety of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and others onboard the chopper. Prayers for speedy recovery."
Bodies recovered from the site of the crash (between Coimbatore and Sulur where a military chopper crashed) have been taken to Military Hospital, Wellington in Tamil Nadu: Sources
ABP News confirms that CDS Bipin Rawat has been taken to hospital.
Reports suggest that nine people were on board. Three have been rescued with injuries and four are reportedly dead in the incident.
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