An Indian Air Force chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 8 others on board crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, December 8.   

According to a report in The Indian Express, as many as 3 people were injured in the crash and have been taken to a nearby hospital. Their identities have not been confirmed yet. The report said Rawat’s wife, security commandos, an IAF pilot, and defence assistant were also aboard the chopper.

The Tamil Nadu government has deployed senior officials and the Nilgiri District Collector at the crash site.  

Watch the video of the incident here:

Who is CDS Gen Bipin Rawat?

General Bipin Rawat was appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019. He served as the 57th and last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and also as the 26th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. 

Born in Uttarakhand, Bipin Rawat joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy where he was honoured with the Sword of Honour award. In December 1978, he was commissioned into the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles. 

He also commanded the 5th battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles as a Colonel in the Eastern sector along the LOC at Kibithu. After his promotion as a Brigadier, he commanded 5 sectors of Rashtriya Rifles in Sopore.

For his major contributions in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Bipin Rawat was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation.  

General Rawat has been honoured with several prestigious accolades including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, and the COAS commendation.  

Read Also: Army chopper with CDS Bipin Rawat crashes in Coonoor, 9 people were on board

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