Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is going to brief both houses of the parliament after the chopper crash of India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Singh Rawat, who was among 13 people who were killed on Wednesday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper lost control and crashed, apparently due to foggy conditions, near Coonoor district in Tamil Nadu.
It is reported by NDTV that Rajnath Singh will speak in the lower house at 11:15 pm, while at 12 pm in the upper house of the parliament. "General Rawat had served the country with exceptional courage and diligence," said the Defence Minister on Twitter.
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Rajnath Singh visited Gen. Rawat's home in Delhi and also briefed the Prime Minister on the situation. He also met with other ministers who are members of the Cabinet committee. The mortal remains of the CDS and his wife are expected to arrive in Delhi by Thursday evening on a military plane.
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.