General Bipin Rawat Chopper Crash Live Updates: Rajnath Singh to brief parliament today over IAF chopper crash incident

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrives at crash site

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrived at the crash site along with Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu.

IMA, Dehradun cancels Commandant's Parade

The Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun has cancelled the Commandant's Parade, the final rehearsal parade ahead of the passing out parade, which was slated to take place today.

"The decision regarding holding passing out parade will be taken after receiving instructions from Army HQ," IMA PRO Col Himani Pant said. (ANI)

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrives at crash site

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari arrived in Coonoor to visit the site of the chopper crash, which killed CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others.

US Secretary of State Blinken mourns death of Gen Rawat

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday mourned the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. "My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Rawat, his wife and colleagues who perished in today's tragic accident," Blinken said.

Gen Rawat paid last visit to Nagpur in Nov to see prototypes of weaponised drones

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, who died in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu along with 12 others on Wednesday, had paid his last visit to Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra, just less than a month ago. During his visit to the city on November 15, he saw a demonstration of the prototypes of weaponised drones (hexacopter) and loitering munition made by a company here, where he also spoke about non-contact warfare and its restructuring in armed forces. He had come in a helicopter at the equipment maker's campus located on Amravati Road. The equipment was manufactured by the Solar Group of Companies, which includes Solar Industries India Ltd and Economic Explosives Ltd. (PTI)

Four Indian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in the chopper crash include Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader K Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das and Junior Warrant Officer Pradeep A. (ANI)

Subramanian Swamy seeks probe by Supreme Court judge

Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday sought a probe by a senior Supreme Court judge into the helicopter crash near Coonoor that killed India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others. The former Union Minister termed the incident as "shocking" and a big caution to national security. (PTI)

The bodies would be brought to Rawat's house on Friday and people would be allowed to pay last respects from 11am to 2pm. The funeral procession will start from Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment. (ANI)

Cremation of General Bipin Rawat and his wife to be held on Friday at Delhi Cantonment. Their mortal remains are expected to arrive in city in a military plane by Thursday evening. (ANI)

General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far-reaching reforms in the Indian military's higher defence organisation. He was instrumental in creating the foundation of India's joint theatre commands and giving impetus to the increased indigenisation of military equipment, a legacy which will be carried on and strengthened by successive generations: Indian Army