Tri-service probe ordered, Gen Rawat to be accorded full military honours

New Delhi, Dec 09: Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh said that a Sri-service inquiry will be conducted into the Indian Air Force chopper crash in which Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and 12 others were killed.

Making a statement in Parliament, Singh said that the tri-service inquiry team headed by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh reached Wellington on Wednesday itself and began investigation into the matter,
Air Marshal Manavendra Singh is the commander of the IAF's training command and a chopper pilot himself.

Chief Of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat will be laid to rest with full military honours, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. He was addressing Parliament on the chopper crash that took place at Nilgiris on December 8 in which CDS General Rawat, his wife and 11 others lost their lives.

Singh said that General Rawat was on a scheduled visit to Wellington. The chopper took off at the Sulur airbase and was headed to Wellington. At 12.08 pm, the chopper lost contact, he also said.

Later some people witnessed a fire and they went to the spot. A rescue team was immediately sent and they tried to revive all of them. 13 of the 14 people in the chopper lost their lives, Singh also said.

Singh said that the Indian Air Force Chief was immediately sent to Tamil Nadu after the incident.

Singh said that along with General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat also lost her life. The others who died in the air crash are L/Nk Vivek, L/Nk S Teja, Nk Jitender, Hav Satpal, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col H Singh and Nk Gursewak Singh. Singh said that all the bodies would reach Delhi by today evening.

The Defence Minister also said that Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support and is undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries. He is the sole survivor in the crash.

Singh said that General Rawat would be laid to rest with full military honours. The others who died in the crash would be laid to rest with appropriate military honours.

Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla said that on behalf the Lok Sabha, he is paying homage to General Rawat.

He said that General Rawat was at the forefront of change in the Armed forces. He will always be remembered, Birla also said. He also offered homage on behalf of the House to all others who lost their lives in the incident. The Speaker also prayed for the speedy recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh.