CDS General Bipin Rawat dies in IAF helicopter crash

An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu killing India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday.

The IAF confirmed the development on Twitter. “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.” tweeted the Indian Air Force. “An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

According to Indian media, the IAF helicopter crash killed at least four people, including CDS General Bipin Rawat, while three people have been rescued with serious injuries and burns.

There were reportedly 14 people on board the ill-fated helicopter, including CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife, defence assistant, security personnel, and the IAF aircrew, when it crashed near Tamil Nadu.

CDS General Bipin Rawat was on his way to Wellington in Coonoor from an IAF airbase in Sulur near Coimbatore when the helicopter crash occurred, said Indian media.

The IAF helicopter was a Mi-17, which entered service in the 1970s and it is widely used by defence services around the world. However, the helicopter has been involved in a number of accidents over the years.

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