Tamil Nadu (The Stellar News) Saksham Kalia: Army helicopter taking India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat with 13 others crashes in the Nilgiri region. On 8th December afternoon, 12:20 pm the helicopter of Chief of Defence Staff crashed and as per current reports 11 people have already declared dead.
About 14 people boarded the flight including Bipin Rawat, his wife, Assistance Defence, security detail along with others. Reports said that after the crash two people were admitted to hospital and their situation is still unclear.
The identities of those killed is being withheld at this point. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Parliament will be briefed tomorrow. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will leave for the crash site at 5 pm.
Rajnath Singh – who excused himself from a cabinet meeting when news of the accident emerged – has visited Gen Rawat’s home, as has Army Chief MM Naravane. The crash was first reported around 12.20 pm. The defence establishment learnt of the incident from villagers in nearby Katteri who informed the district administration. Eight ambulances and medical teams from Coimbatore and Wellington are at the scene.
