Tri-Service Enquiry Ordered by IAF Into Chopper Crash: Rajnath Singh in Parl
Catch all the live updates on the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat here.
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After the death of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others in an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter crash on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday addressed the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over the crash.
"With profound grief and heavy heart, I stand to convey the unfortunate news of the crash of the military helicopter in the noon of 8 December 2021, with India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat onboard: Raksha Mantri," Singh said.
The black box of the chopper was recovered on Thursday morning.
The chopper crashed with 14 people after having taken off from Sulur in Nilgiris, while it was heading to Wellington base
The IAF said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident
Visuals from the site of the helicopter crash showed massive flames and locals helping with the immediate rescue operations
The mortal remains of CDS Rawat and his wife are expected to arrive in the National Capital in a military plane by Thursday evening
Their funeral will take place on Friday
The sole survivor of the crash is Group Captain Varun Singh, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, who is in critical condition
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Who Were On-board the Chopper?
Sources confirmed to The Quint that the chopper was carrying ten passengers, two pilots and two crew members.
Defence communication accessed by The Quint with regard to the flight manifest shows that the chopper from Delhi to Sulur was carrying CDS Rawat and his wife, as well as Brigadier LS Lidder, Defence Adviser to Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Colonel Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kumar, Vivek Kumar, B Sai Teja, and Hav Satpal.
PM Modi Calls Urgent Meeting After Crash
Following the chopper crash, an emergency Cabinet meeting has been called by PM Modi.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Brief Parliament on Crash
Defence minister Rajnath Singh will brief Parliament today on the crash of the army chopper in Tamil Nadu. As per protocol, Singh has already briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, sources said.
Tamil Nadu CM To Go to Nilgiris
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to move Coimbatore from Chennai Airport today evening and then move to Nilgiris, chopper crash.
'Entire Chopper Caught Fire': Eyewitness Recounts Crash
Krishnaswamy was the first eyewitness who raised alarm and informed the police.
"I heard a really loud noise and that's when I saw the copter approaching. As it was descending, it caught on fire. It crashed into a big tree here and immediately smoke engulfed the area. Then the entire chopper caught on fire. I immediately called the boy in the neighbourhood. He called the police and fire department," he said.
"I saw a person who was up in flames and was standing and then he fell down. Then I saw three or four other persons who were fully charred. I got really scared and left the place," he added.
5 People Dead, 2 Others Critical, Says TN Forest Minister
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ramachandran said that he has reached the chopper crash site.
"Out of the 14 people on board, five people have died and the situation of two others is critical. Rescue operation is underway," he said, according to news agency ANI.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Pays Visit to Rawat's Residence
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid a visit to the residence of CDS Bipin Rawat, after the IAF announced that the latter was aboard the chopper that crashed on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu.
IAF Chief En-Route to Sulur Airbase
Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is reaching Sulur airbase, sources said.
Saddened by the Crash, Says Karnataka CM
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he is saddened by the crash and is awaiting more information.
"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," he said, as quoted by ANI.
Doctors From Coonoor Treating the Injured
A medical team from Coonoor, six-member team from Coonoor Govt Hospital and a team from ESI Hospital are treating the injured.
'Deeply Shocked': Tamil Nadu CM on Crash
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that he was "deeply shocked" to hear about the crash and that he is rushing to the spot.
MM Naravane Briefes Rajnath Singh
Army Chief General MM Naravane briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the incident of the crash of a chopper that was also carrying CDS Gen Bipin Rawat.
13 of 14 Occupants of the Chopper Killed: Nilgiris Collector
News agency PTI has quoted Nilgiris Collector as saying that 13 of the 14 occupants of the IAF helicopter were killed. The sole survivor is a male.
Cabinet Committee on Security to Meet Shortly
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to meet at 6:30 PM today.
CDS Bipin Rawat, Wife Pass Away
CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others died in an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter on Wednesday, 8 December, the Indian Air Force has confirmed in a tweet.
'Deeply Anguished' Tweets Rajnath Singh
Describing Rawat's "untimely death" as an "irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has tweeted that he is "deeply anguished".
'India Will Never Forget His Exceptional Service' Tweets PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to tweet his tribute to Bipin Rawat, stating that “India will never forget his exceptional service.”
Nation Has Lost One of Its Bravest Sons: Prez Kovind
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted that “the nation has lost one of its bravest sons.” The President also joined “the fellow citizens in paying tributes to each of those who died while performing their duty.”
Indian Army Expresses Grief
The Indian Army in a statement expressed their grief and sorrow over the demise of CDS Rawat, his wife and 11 others, reportedly saying in a statement:
"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.
General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far reaching reforms in Indian military's higher defence org. He was instrumental in creating foundation of India's joint theatre commands and giving impetus to increased indigenisation of military equipment.”
Bipin Rawat's Body to Be Brought to Delhi Tomorrow: Report
CDS Bipin Rawat's body will be brought to Delhi tomorrow, according to NDTV.
Defence Minister to Give Statement on IAF Chopper Crash in Parliament Tomorrow
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to make a statement on the military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in both the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, 9 December, according to ANI.
Three-Day State Mourning in Uttarakhand: Principal Secy to CM
Uttarakhand is slated to observe three-day state mourning, with Abhinav Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Uttarakhand CM announcing, as per ANI:
"Three-day State mourning in Uttarakhand 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."
Two Minute Silence Observed at Cabinet Committee of Security Meet: Reports
A two minute silence was reportedly observed in memory of Bipin Rawat at a Cabinet Committee of Security meet on Wednesday evening.
Bipin Rawat and His Wife's Funeral on Friday
CDS Bipin Rawat and his wife's funeral will take place on Friday, 10 December, reported ANI. Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in the National Capital in a military plane by Thursday evening.
Further, as per ANI, their bodies will be brought to their house on Friday and people are expected to be allowed to pay last respect from 11 am to 2 pm. Following this, a funeral procession with take place from Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.
Uttarakhand Assembly to Be Adjourned for the Entire Day Post Condolences Tomorrow
Condolences to be expressed in Uttarakhand Assembly tomorrow (Thursday) over the death of 13 people including CDS General Bipin Rawat following which the House will be adjourned for the entire day, reported ANI, citing State Assembly Speaker Premchand Aggarwal.
Tamil Nadu CM Visits Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin visited the Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington on Wednesday and held a meeting with the defence officials present there.
IMA Dehradun Cancels Commandant's Parade Scheduled for Today
IMA, Dehradun has cancelled Commandant's Parade that was scheduled to take place on Thursday.
The decision regarding the holding of the passing out parade will be taken after receiving instructions from Army HQ, IMA PRO Col Himani Pant has said, according to ANI.
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari Visits Site of Crash
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Thursday visited and inspected the site of the accident near Coonoor in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.
Defence Minister to Address Parliament Today
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will issue a statement on the chopper crash in Rajya Sabha at 11 am today.
Forensic Team Reaches Site of Crash
A team of Tamil Nadu Forensic Science Department headed by Director Srinivasan on Thursday arrived at the crash site near Kattery in Coonoor.
6-Member Special Team Attending to Treatment of Group Captain Varun Singh
Black Box of IAF Chopper Recovered
The data recorder of the chopper was recovered on Thursday morning.
Video Emerges of Last Moments of IAF Chopper
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Reaches Parliament
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches Parliament, where he will make a statement in Lok Saha and Rajya Sabha on the chopper crash.
Mortal Remains of Those Killed in Crash Taken to Madras Regimental Centre
The mortal remains of those who died in the military chopper crash on Wednesday have been taken to Madras Regimental Centre from Military Hospital, Wellington in Nilgiris district.
Was Expected to Land at Wellington at 12.15: Defence Minister
The Air Force Mi 17 V 5 helicopter took off from Sulur Air Base at 11:48 am on Wednesday and was expected to land at Wellington by 12:15 pm, Rajnath Singh said.
Air Traffic Control at Sulur Air Base lost contact with the helicopter at approximately 12:08 pm, he added.
Locals Spotted Fire, Says Defence Minister in LS
A few locals spotted a fire in the forest near Coonoor and rushed to the spot where they observed the wreckage of military helicopter engulfed in flames, the defence minister added.
All those recovered from the wreckage were rushed to the Military Hospital, Wellington.
"Latest reports have confirmed that out of the total 14 persons onboard the ill-fated helicopter, 13 have succumbed to their injuries," Rajnath Singh said.
Rajnath Singh Lists Names of Those Who Died in Crash
The dead include the CDS Bipin Rawat's wife, Madhulika, his Defence Adviser Brig Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, Staff Officer Lt Col Harjinder Singh and nine other Armed Forces personnel including the Air Force helicopter crew, Singh said.
Their names are Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das, Junior Warrant Officer Arakkal Pradeep, Havildar Satpal Rai, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B Sai Teja, he added.
All Efforts Being Made to Save Sole Survivor's Life, Says Defence Minister
Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support in the Military Hospital at Wellington and all efforts are being made to save his life, the defence minister said in the Lok Sabha.
CDS to be Cremated With Full Military Honours
The defence minister further said that a tri-Service enquiry regarding the incident has been ordered by Indian Air Force, headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command.
The mortal remains of those killed in helicopter crash will be brought to Delhi on Thursday evening, Singh said.
The Chief of Defence Staff will be cremated with full military honours, he added.
"I, on behalf of the august House, pay homage to the deceased persons and express condolences to the bereaved families," Singh said, concluding his statement.
LS Observes 2-Minute Silence Over Deaths in IAF Chopper Crash
The Lok Sabha on Thursday observed two-minute silence over the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other personnel in the chopper crash.