PESHAWAR: The Indian Air Force helicopter carrying Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, his wife and other army officers crashed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
The Indian media reported that three persons have been recovered alive, however, the officials have not shared any details about Gen. Bipen Rawat. The Indian Air Force has confirmed in a tweet that the chopper that crashed was a Mi-17V5 model and was carrying Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat.
The helicopter was en route from Delhi to Wellington military base and had a total of 14 people on board, including crew members, General Rawat, his wife, General Rawat’s aides and his crew, according to the Indian media. The Press Trust of India reported that 11 bodies and three injured people have been recovered from the spot but the identities of the dead and injured have not been revealed yet.
Some Indian news channel quoted local officials as saying that Gen. Rawat has been recovered alive from the wreckage but his condition is critical.
The Indian Air Force says an investigation into the crash has been ordered.
General Rawat was appointed the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff on December 31, 2019, after retiring from the post of Chief of Army Staff.