Leaders including PM Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Others Express Grief Over Death Of CDS Rawat

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat lost his life in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor on Wednesday.

New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said. “Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today,” it said. The last rites of General Rawat will be performed in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences for General Bipin Rawat. “I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Gen Rawat “was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion.”

A very sad day for the nation as we have lost our CDS, General Bipin Rawat Ji in a very tragic accident. He was one of the bravest soldiers, who has served the motherland with utmost devotion. His exemplary contributions & commitment cannot be put into words. I am deeply pained.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2021

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that “this is an unprecedented tragedy..” and that “Indian stands united in this grief.”

I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife.
This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time.
Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives.

India stands united in this grief.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2021

Expressing “shock and anguish” over the passing of Gen Rawat, President Kovind said that the CDS’s “four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family.”

I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The 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.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 8, 2021

तमिलनाडु के कुन्नूर में दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हादसे में CDS जनरल श्री बिपिन रावत जी व उनकी धर्मपत्नी का निधन अत्यंत दुःखद है।

एक उत्कृष्ट सैन्य अधिकारी के रूप में श्री रावत जी सदैव याद किए जाएंगे।

उनका असामयिक निधन राष्ट्र की अपूरणीय क्षति है।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 8, 2021