IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu Highlights: Bipin Rawat 'dead'
IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu Highlights: In a major incident, CDS General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday died after an Indian Air Force helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu with senior officials including on board, said Harcharanjit Singh Panag, PVSM, a retired lieutenant general of the Indian Army.
As per the report, CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff, and some family members were in the Mi-series chopper that crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu.
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Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations was launched from nearby bases. A total of 14 people including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, Defence Assistant, security commandos and IAF pilots were on board the chopper, the sources said.
15:55| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from the residence of CDS Bipin Rawat
15:49| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches the residence of CDS Bipin Rawat
15:43| The crash happened at a distance of about 10 km from the helipad where it was to land with CDS Rawat.
15:35| Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, "Saddened to hear that the IAF chopper carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat crashed. I am trying to gather more information on the incident. As per preliminary information, he has been taken to hospital for treatment."
15:30| Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted, "Deeply saddened and concerned over the incident of military helicopter crash carrying Chief of Defence Staff ???. ????? ?????, his wife & other officers on board near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. Praying for the speedy recovery and well-being of all."
15:28| IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhuri has been directed by Rajnath Singh to visit the crash site near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor.
15:12| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Home Nityanand Rai reach Parliament; to brief Parliament on the chopper crash in Coonoor.
15:10| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following the crash of the IAF chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat and others. A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials took place. Rajnath Singh briefed the PM about the crash.
15:06| Indian Air Force stated that the IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter was airborne from Sulur for Wellington. There were 14 persons on board, including the crew.
14:27| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will brief Parliament on the crash of an army chopper in Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu.
14:24| Rahul Gandhi said that "Hoping for the safety of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and others onboard the chopper. Prayers for a speedy recovery."
14:16| Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted: "Extremely sad to see the images of the chopper crash with CDS Bipin Rawat and his wife on board. Praying for the safety of all."
14:14| Nitin Gadkari Kooed, "Shocked to hear about the tragic crash of helicopter with CoDS Shri Bipin Rawat ji on board. I pray for everyone's safety, wellbeing."
14:13| CDS Bipin Rawat is reportedly safe but he is critical. He is taken to a hospital. However, there has been no information about his family. He has burn injuries, reports claimed.
14:07| Four bodies recovered, three injured persons rescued from IAF helicopter crash site in TN, the official sources said.
14:00| 14 people were on-board the military chopper that crashed b/w Coimbatore&Sulur in Tamil Nadu. They included CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja and Hav Satpal.
13:52 | On the Indian Army's chopper crash in Tamil Nadu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that it was "very very sad to hear this. I pray for everyone’s safety."
13:50 | Indian Air Force stated that an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
-PTC News 
