ISLAMABAD — The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa have expressed condolences over the death of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar in a tweet said, “General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC and General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS express condolences on tragic death of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and loss of precious lives in a helicopter crash in India.”
The 63-year-old General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others died when the Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi 17 V5 helicopter carrying 14 persons crashed near Coonoor area in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, the Indian Air Force confirmed the news of his death and tweeted, “With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.”
Gen Bipin Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today. — (KIMS)