Indian chief of defence staff Gen. Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash along with his wife and others who were on board of the air force chopper.
A helicopter carrying India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the air force said.
“An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” the Indian Air Force said on Twitter.
Fourteen people were on board of the Indian air force helicopter who have died in this crash. Indian authorities said the DNA test will be conducted of those whose charred bodies are not identifiable.
The report quoted sources as saying that there were 14 people on board, including Gen Rawat, his wife, defence assistant, security commandos and an IAF pilot.
Indian news agency ANI tweeted visuals from the crash site, showing the wreckage of the copter consumed by fire. According to the wire service, Rawat’s family was also on board the ill-fated chopper.
