New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "deep anguish" over the sudden death of General Bipin Rawat, the country's first Chief of Defence Staff, whose helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor this morning. Twelve other people died in the crash of the army chopper, among them was General Rawat's wife Madhulika Rawat. The sole survivor of the crash, who sustained severe burns, is battling for life at a hospital in Wellington, where they were headed.
"I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," the Prime Minister tweeted.
The chopper crashed in the hills of Nilgiris, perplexing the experts who called it a "very reliable, safe, stable" aircraft. The Indian Air Force has ordered an investigation into it.
The country's top General was named its first Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019, the post integrating the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
"As India's first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service," tweeted PM Modi.
Briefed about the crash earlier today by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, PM Modi is holding a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security this evening.
The country's top decision-making body on internal security and defence policy, chaired by the Prime Minister, includes the ministers of Defence, Home, External Affairs and Finance. In December 2019, they had named the four-star general as the first Chief Of Defence Staff.