Indian Mi-17V5 Chopper Crashes, Chief of Defence Staff Killed

The Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Mi-17V5 chopper with multiple people onboard crashed near Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor on Wednesday, killing India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.

The helicopter had four crew members and nine other passengers onboard at the time of the incident other than the CDS.

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Confirming Rawat’s demise, the IAF 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. With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident. Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.”