1st Chief of the Defence Staff of India General Bipin Rawat dies in M-17V5 crashed near Coonoor in the hilly Nilgiri district. He was on the way to Defense Staff College in Wellington. He and his wife Madhulika are among 14 who died in a helicopter crash.
The cause of the accident is poor visibility following heavy fog. 63 years General was appointed Chief of the Defense Staff on 30th December 2019. 1978 batch defense officer.
As per a statement issued by Indian Army General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS was a visionary, who initiated far-reaching reforms in the Indian military's higher defense organization. He was instrumental in creating the foundation of India's joint theatre commands and giving impetus to the increased indigenization of military equipment, a legacy that will be carried on and strengthened by successive generations.