Indian Defense Staff chief, wife among 13 killed in copter crash

NEW DELHI

As India's Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat was among 13 killed in a helicopter crash in southern Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, condolences have poured in over the death of the top general.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Rawat was an "outstanding soldier" and as the country's first Chief of Defense Staff, Rawat "worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defense reforms."

"A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernizing our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply," Modi wrote on Twitter, adding that "India will never forget his exceptional service."

Rawat on Wednesday was en route to the defense services staff college in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers, when the incident happened near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, according to the Indian Air Force.

A total of 14 people including Rawat and his wife were on board the chopper. While 13 people were killed including Rawat and his wife, a senior Air Force officer injured in the incident is currently under treatment at Wellington's military hospital.

"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," the Air Force said on Wednesday evening.

An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident by the Air Force.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said Rawat's "untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country."

"General Rawat had served the country with exceptional courage and diligence. As the first Chief of Defence Staff he had prepared plans for jointness of our Armed Forces," he wrote on Twitter. "Praying for the speedy recovery of Gp Capt Varun Singh, who is currently under treatment at the Military Hospital, Wellington."

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said that nation has lost one of its bravest sons. "His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family," he said.

Condolences from abroad

Several countries also offered condolences over the deadly helicopter crash.

Pakistan's Gen. Nadeem Raza, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa extend sympathy on the death of Indian general, his wife, and others, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations, army's media wing.

The US conveyed "deepest condolences" to the families of those who perished in the tragic crash.

"He (Rawat) was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India's defense cooperation with the US military," said a statement by the US Embassy in New Delhi, adding that "his legacy will continue on."

Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said that it was "heart-aching" to learn of the helicopter crash in India, offering prayers for India and bereaved families.

Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said Russia has lost a "very close friend, who played a big role in the promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership.

"Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander," Kudashev tweeted.

Barry O'Farrell AO, Australia's high commissioner to India, also expressed "deepest sympathies" to the families of those killed in the crash.

Video footage on Indian news channels earlier Wednesday showed rescue workers dousing the chopper's wreckage in a forested area.

S.P. Amrith, a senior administrative official in the state's Nilgiris district, where the crash took place, told Anadolu Agency that the rescue operation is over.

Rawat was appointed India's first chief of defense staff in 2019, a position established for coordination between the country's three armed services – the army, navy, and air force.

*Aamir Latif from Karachi, Pakistan contributed to this report.