Niligiris, December 8: An Indian Air Force helicopter, Mi-17V5, crashed on Wednesday at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his family members and other senior defence officials were onboard when the chopper crashed. A total of 14 people were onboard the chopper that crashed today. Thirteen of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash have been confirmed dead.

As per sources, identies of the bodies will be confirmed through DNA testing. According to reports, Gen Rawat is reported to be undergoing treatement at a hospital. Gen Rawat's wife, Madhulika rawat, was also onboard the ill-fated chopper that crashed at the Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist. Indian Air Force MI-17V5 Helicopter Crash: Chopper Carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat With His Wife and Others on Board Crashes in Tamil Nadu.

Rescue operations were launched by the nearby airbases immediately after the crash. More details are still awaited. An inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause if the accident. The IAF tweeted, “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.” Indian Army Helicopter Crash: Chopper Carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat, Other Senior Defence Officials Crashes In Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris District.

Tweet By IAF:

The chopper crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu. Others who were in the chopper were Brigadier L.S. Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Vivek Kumar, Naik B. Sai Teja, Havaldar Satpal and pilots.

Tweet By ANI:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the residence of General Rawat in New Delhi. The Defence Minister has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the incident. The Government will issue a statement in Parliament on the crash.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2021 02:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).