November 21, 2024

General Rawat's Tragic Death: A Devastating Loss

By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-12-08 14:54:47

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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.

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In a tragic turn of events, an Army Mi-17V-5 helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and twelve other military personnel on board crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Gen Rawat and his wife were among 13 who died. One person is being treated for severe burns.

General Rawat was a distinguished soldier who has many accomplishments to his name. He was an expert in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare. He was the first person to be made Chief of Defence Staff in a post that did not exist before his retirement. India has lost a great soldier and a shrewd war tactician in his death.

The Russian-made twin-engine Mi-17V-5 helicopters are the latest of high altitude transport copters and are considered very safe and stable. They are regularly used to ferry VVIPs. The flight from Sulur air base to Wellington also did not involve any complications. Hence, the crash has perplexed experts. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation in paying homage to a brave son. He tweeted "I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."