Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was the pilot of the Mi-17V5. He is the Commanding Officer of the 109 Helicopter Unit, said the sources. The IAF, meanwhile, confirmed the death of General Bipin Rawat.I am deeply shocked & disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor.
I've instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I'm rushing to the spot. — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 8, 2021
The IAF chopper crashed shortly after it took off this morning from an Air Force base in Sulur near Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore. It was heading to Wellington in Udhagamandalam, also known as Ooty, where a Defence Services Staff College is located. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Photo: Social mediaAlso read | Jacqueline Fernandez appears before ED for questioning in money laundering case The crash was first reported around 12.20 pm. The defence establishment learnt of the incident from villagers in nearby Katteri, who informed the district administration. Eight ambulances and medical teams from Coimbatore and Wellingdon reached the spot. The identities of the bodies would be confirmed through DNA testing, added the sources.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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021