India: Chief of Defence staff General Bipin Rawat has died in a chopper crash in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Indian Airforce said.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city.
Gen Rawat, 63, was appointed India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.
The Indian Air Force said it had ordered an investigation into the accident.
Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is charing a cabinet security committee in an emergency session.
On Twitter, Mr Modi said: "[Gen Rawat] brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service."
The helicopter had just taken off from the army base in Sulur, and was headed for Wellington town, less than 100km (62 miles) away, where Gen Rawat was set to visit the Defence Services Staff College.
The sole survivor of the crash is a captain working at the college.
