Indian IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying CDS Bipin Rawat crashes in Tamil Nadu; four killed, Rajnath briefs PM

Chennai: In an unfortunate incident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Chief Defence of Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife, and military personnel crashed near Coonoor in the nearby hilly Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

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.

The accident that happened at the Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist claimed four lives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to visit the crash site.

According to agency reports citing sources, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation following the crash of IAF chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat and others. "A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials is underway. Singh has briefed the PM about the crash," sources told news agency ANI. Rajnath Singh is slated to brief Parliament on the chopper crash in Coonoor.

Some reports claimed that 14 people were on board the chopper. Some media reports said that Bipin Rawat and three others were injured in the helicopter crash incident. The IAF helicopter crashed when it was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington.

Visuals available on ANI showed the IAF chopper Mi-17V5 in flames under the impact of the crash. India Army personnel and other rescue personnel were involved in clearing the area.

IAF confirmed that an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, crashed in Tamil Nadu. The Air Force has ordered an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.

"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," IAF tweeted.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed shock over the tragic chopper crash.

"Shocked to hear about the tragic crash of helicopter with CoDS Shri Bipin Rawat ji on board.
I pray for everyone's safety, wellbeing,' Gadkari tweeted.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi prayed for the safety of Chief of Defence Staff and others.

"Hoping for the safety of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and others onboard the chopper. Prayers for speedy recovery," Gandhi tweeted.