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. “Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today," it said. The last rites of General Rawat will be performed in New Delhi.

The crash happened at a distance of about 10 km from the helipad where it was to land.

Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was the 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, said sources.

An IAF chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his staff and wife, has crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor, with no information yet about the condition of the CDS. Thirteen of the fourteen personnel have been confirmed dead after the crash took place in the Nilgiris, shortly after the Mi-series chopper took off from the army base in Sulur. Confirming the incident, the Indian Air Force tweeted: “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident." Sources said the Union Cabinet is currently on and Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the incident.

"With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident," the Indian Force said in a tweet.

"I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji," President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet. "The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family," he added.

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that General Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier and a true patriot.

"He greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply," Prime Minister Modi wrote.

He also said that as India’s first CDS, General Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to armed forces including defence reforms. "He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service," Modi wrote.

Extending condolences, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives." "India stands united in this grief," he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolence on the demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others.

"My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May God give them the strength to bear this tragic loss," Shah said in a tweet.

"Deeply shocked at tragic demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife. We worked closely together in the last few years. It is a huge loss to the nation," Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet.

The moral remains of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, along with others killed in the crash, are expected to arrive in Delhi by tomorrow evening.

The lone survivor Group Captain Varun Singh is currently undergoing treatment.

Image courtesy: PTI