National Disaster: Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat passes way

In a shocking development that could be termed as a national disaster, India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat passes away in a tragic plane crash. CDS Bipin Rawat along with his wife Madhulika along with 12 passengers was heading for Wellington to address the Defence Staff College in Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu.

The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 chopper carrying 14 people crashed within minutes after its takeoff from the Air Force base in Sulur, Coimbatore. All the 13 people along with General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika passed away in the crash and the lone survivor Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington.

Condolences is pouring in from all quarters and the people of the nation are shocked by the plane crash and General Bipin Rawat was known for his tough stand against Pakistan and China and also the country's most decorated officer.

President Ramnath Kovind, PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and leaders of the political parties expressed their condolences.