Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday formally informed Parliament of the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and said his last rites will be conducted with full military honours.
He said, "The chopper was slated to land at 12:15. The Sulur airbase air traffic controller lost contact with the chopper at 12:08 pm. Soon, locals found the debris of the helicopter in flames. A local administration team tried to rescue survivors and rushed as many people as possible to the military hospital in Wellington."
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others — including his wife Madhulika and 11 armed forces personnel — were killed in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday, December 8.
The sole survivor of the crash, Group Captain Varun Singh, suffered 45% burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
Rajnath Singh said the mortal remains of the deceased will be flown to New Delhi from Coimbatore on Thursday. Earlier, the wreath-laying ceremony was held in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday formally informed Parliament of the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and said his last rites will be conducted with full military honours.
He said, "The chopper was slated to land at 12:15. The Sulur airbase air traffic controller lost contact with the chopper at 12:08 pm. Soon, locals found the debris of the helicopter in flames. A local administration team tried to rescue survivors and rushed as many people as possible to the military hospital in Wellington."
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others — including his wife Madhulika and 11 armed forces personnel — were killed in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday, December 8.
The sole survivor of the crash, Group Captain Varun Singh, suffered 45% burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Wellington.
Rajnath Singh said the mortal remains of the deceased will be flown to New Delhi from Coimbatore on Thursday. Earlier, the wreath-laying ceremony was held in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.