New Delhi: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a tri-services probe into the helicopter crash that killed 13 people, including the Chief of Defense Staff General. Bipin RawatNear Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
“The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a tri-services inquiry into the military helicopter crash. The investigation will be headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh,” Singh said.
“The investigation team reached Wellington yesterday and started investigation,” ANI reported.
The Defense Minister said that the last rites of General Rawat would be performed with full military honours.
“The last rites of other servicemen will be done with due military honours,” he said.
Singh said all those recovered from the rubble were taken to the Military Hospital in Wellington.
“Latest reports have confirmed that out of the total 14 people on board the unfortunate helicopter, 13 have succumbed to their injuries. The dead included CDS’s wife Smt. Madhulika Rawat, his Defense Advisor Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, Staff Officer Lt Col Harjinder Singh and nine other Armed Forces personnel including Air Force helicopter crew.
“Their names are Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das, Junior Warrant Officer Arakkal Pradeep, Havildar Satpal Rai, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B Sai Teja ,” he added.
Singh said Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the helicopter crash, is on life support at the Military Hospital in Wellington.
“Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support at Military Hospital, Wellington. Every effort is being made to save his life.”
The Defense Minister further said that the bodies of those killed in the helicopter crash on Wednesday would be brought to Delhi this evening.
Earlier in the day, both the Houses of Parliament observed a two-minute silence over the death of General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others on board the Air Force chopper.
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