Cause of CDS General Bipin Rawat chopper crash: Foul play not ruled out

NEW DELHI: The army has ordered an enquiry into the tragic crash of a military chopper carrying 14 military personnel on board. Foul play is not ruled out, and all aspects will be looked into, an army spokesman said.

The way all the bodies were badly burnt points out that the chopper crashed suddenly, giving the occupants no time to save themselves.

The army said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Rawat, died on Wednesday, along with 11 other persons, after an Army chopper carrying them crashed in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. Confirming the news, the Indian Air Force 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.”

“Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was pilot of the Mi-17V5 which crashed with 14 personnel on board including CDS Gen Bipin Rawat. He is the Commanding Officer of the 109 Helicopter Unit,” ANI reported quoting sources.

IAF’s Mi-17V5 helicopter used for deploying troops, arms transport, patrol and search and rescue missions is considered one of the world’s most advanced military transport helicopters.

The Mi-17V5 medium-lifter can fly in any adverse conditions, in tropical and maritime climates and even in desert conditions. The helicopter is fitted with starboard sliding door, parachute equipment, searchlight and emergency floatation system.