Army Helicopter With CDS Bipin Rawat On Board Crashes; 4 Reported To Be Dead

Coimbatore: An Army chopper crashed in the Nilgiri mountains, near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday afternoon.

According to an Indian Air Force statement, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat was on board the MiG-17 helicopter.

An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. pic.twitter.com/cnKn7RNFeR

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

A total of 14 people were on the copter, including his wife, family members and members of his staff, India Today reported.

Four people are reported to be dead, though details are still awaited.

Local people were the first to start rescue operations. Emergency teams have reached the spot. Those injured have been rushed to the hospital.

Eyewitnesses said that the helicopter apparently hit a high-transmission power line.