India’s top military commander has been killed in a helicopter crash in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the country’s Air Force says.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city on Wednesday morning.  Images show that the helicopter has been completely consumed by fire.  One survivor is reported.

The survivor succumbed to their injuries a few days later (see press report)

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others were travelling in a helicopter that came down in hills near Coonoorhttps://t.co/wNkGVOQbJT

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) December 8, 2021

Date:

8 December, 2021

Reg:

ZP5164

Make:

Russian Helicopters

Model:

Mi17V5

Location:

Coonoor

Country:

India

Civil / Military:

Military

Fatalities:

13

Operator:

Indian-Air-Force

Link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-59576082

Link:

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/cds-bipin-rawat-army-chopper-crash-live-updates-7662227/

Link:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iaf-helicopter-crash-live-updates-13-dead-as-chopper-with-cds-bipin-rawat-on-board-crashes-in-tamil-nadu/liveblog/88150787.cms