Bipin Rawat, India's most senior general killed in helicopter crash

India’s most senior military official has been killed in a helicopter crash in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the air force confirmed.

India’s defence chief General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 other people have been killed after a military helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has said.

General Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika Rawat, were among 14 people travelling in the chopper when it came down shortly after leaving the army base in Sulur.

The Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter was on its way from an air force base to the Defence Services Staff College when it crashed. The reason for the crash was not immediately known and authorities said they have opened an investigation.

The air force said one officer, Group Captain Varun Singh, survived and is being treated in a military hospital.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Rawat was an “outstanding soldier” and a “true patriot” who greatly contributed to modernising the country’s armed forces and security apparatus.

“His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply,” Modi said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Rawat “served the country with exceptional courage and diligence”.

Rawat, 63, was India’s first chief of defence staff, a position the Indian government established in 2019 and which he assumed last year after retiring as army chief.

He was considered close to Prime Minister Modi and was an adviser to the Ministry of Defence.

His primary task was to overhaul the military, which has struggled to modernise and improve coordination among the army, navy and air force.