The Indian Air force has confirmed that Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 others has died in the chopper crash that occurred at noon in Tamil Nadu.

The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, he was travelling in, crashed into a forested area in the Niligris district at around 12:20 pm. General Rawat was travelling to the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in Coonoor from the Sulur IAF Station.

“The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people onboard on Wednesday, is an advanced military transport chopper that has been with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2012. Manufactured by Russian Helicopters' subsidiary Kazan, the helicopter has an onboard weather radar and is equipped with the latest generation of night vision devices. It also has the new PKV-8 autopilot system and a KNEI-8 avionics suite. It can carry a maximum take off weight of 13,000 kg and maximum payload weight of 4,000kg” reported the PTI.

Various political leaders offered their condolences to Gen Rawat and his wife. President Ram Nath Kovind, condoled his death saying that he was shocked and and anguished at the untimely demise of the Gen Rawat and his wife. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Gen Rawat was an outstanding soldier and a true patriot. Defence minister Rajnath Singh said “His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country”. Home minister Amit Shah expressed his grief citing that it was a very sad day for the nation.

The mortal remains of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife along with other Armed Forces personnel who passed away today are expected to arrive in Delhi by evening tomorrow.