CDS Bipin Rawat's Last Rites To Be Held On Friday, Mortal Remains To Reach Delhi Today | Key Updates
The mortal remains of General Bipin Rawat, his wife and others killed in the mishap will be taken to New Delhi from Coimbatore on Thursday by air.
New Delhi: India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Singh Rawat, who was said to be a veteran of the military landscape, was among 13 people who were killed on Wednesday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter lost control and crashed, apparently due to foggy conditions, near Coonoor district in Tamil Nadu.
The Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Gen. Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and others crashed killing 13 of the 14 onboard the chopper. 11 other armed forces personnel were also killed in the mishap.
The lone survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh, Directing Staff at DSSC, is currently under treatment at a military hospital in nearby Wellington.
Soon after the Indian Air Forces confirmed the death of General Rawat, his wife and others, several leaders including President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Ministers of several states condoled the death hailed him as an outstanding soldier.
The other victims were identified as Brigadier LS Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader K Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek, Lance Naik BS Teja, Havaldar Satpal, JWO Das and JWO Pradeep.
General Bipin Rawat, 13 Others Killed In Tragic Helicopter Crash - Key Updates
• The mortal remains of Gen Rawat, his wife and others killed in the mishap will be taken to New Delhi from Coimbatore on Thursday by air, after a wreath-laying ceremony scheduled on Thursday morning at Wellington.
• According to reports, the cremation of Chief of Defence Staff and his wife will 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 Thursday evening.
• The bodies of Gen Rawat and his wife 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.
• Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was also briefed about the helicopter crash. During the meeting, it was decided that as a mark of respect, the government will announce national mourning on Thursday.
• Discussions were also held over selecting the next Chief of Defence Staff designate.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the residence of General Bipin Rawat to express condolences to the family. According to news agency IANS, Singh spoke to his daughter. He is to make a statement in Parliament on the matter on Thursday.
• The Indian Air Force has said that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The report is expected in one month.
• A three-day State mourning has been announced in Uttarakhand (Rawat's home state) following his demise in the helicopter crash near Coonoor.
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