CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 12 others died in a chopper crash in Coonoor, TN

General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, and his wife died after a military chopper crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, killing 13 on board. The only survivor, an Air Force Group Captain, is being treated for severe burns.

14 on board Mi-17 V5 helicopter

The Indian Air Force had confirmed around 2 pm today that a Mi-17 V5 helicopter carrying General Rawat, his wife Mrs. Madhulika Rawat, and 12 others had “met with an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu”.

Tweet by Indian Air force

Army has initiated an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.