India’s top military official was killed Wednesday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying 14 people crashed in southern India confirmed, with only one survivor. Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife, Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others died in southern state of Tamil Nadu while travelling from an Air Force base to the Defence Services Staff College. The IAF said via Twitter, that the “tragic accident” occurred near the town of Coonoor at noon. The survivor, Group Capt. Varun Singh, is being treated for his injuries at the Military Hospital in Wellington, the IAF said.
Indian news channels published videos showing the helicopter in flames as locals attempted to douse it in a densely forested area close to the college.
The general, who had been in service for four decades has commanded forces in Indian-administered Kashmir and along the line of Actual Control bordering China.
He had revived several awards for his service. He has also been credited with reducing armed conflicts on India’s northearstern frontier and supervised a cross-border counterinsurgency operation into neighbouring Myanmar.
He had been in the present post for almost two year.
