New Delhi:  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his statement in Lok Sabha on the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu today said that  Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Varun Singh, injured in military chopper crash in Coonoor is on life support in Military Hospital, Wellington.

He said that all efforts are being made to save his life.

Group Captain Varun Singh was awarded Shaurya Chakra on this year’s Independence Day for saving his LCA Tejas fighter aircraft during an aerial emergency in 2020.

Rajnath Singh informed that the last rites of CDS General Bipin Rawat will be performed with full military honours. The last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate military honour.

While, Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder of the Mi-17V5 chopper that crashed yesterday have been discoverd.

तमिलनाडु: कुन्नूर में दुर्घटना स्थल से बरामद किया गया MI17-V5 हेलिकॉप्टर का ब्लैक बॉक्स, दुर्घटना के कारणों का पता लगाने में निभाएगा अहम भूमिका.. pic.twitter.com/0TAwckEns3

— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) December 9, 2021

Lok Sabha on Thursday condoled the demise of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 others who lost their lives in the IAF chopper crash.

General Rawat was travelling from Sulur to Wellington in Tamil Nadu when his helicopter crashed near Coonoor on Wednesday. Lok Sabha observed a two-minute silence on the demise of the 13 people.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his opening remarks during the proceedings of the Lower House said that General Rawat was on a scheduled visit to Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also condoled the demise of those who died in the crash.

He also said that General Rawat had contributed immensely to the country.

General Rawat was appointed as India’s first Chief of Defense Staff on December 31, 2019. He previously served as Chief of the

Army Staff from January 2017 to December 2019. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978.

Tamil Nadu: Last moment of Mi-17 chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat and 13 others before it crashed near Coonoor on Wednesday.

(Video Source: Locals present near accident spot) pic.twitter.com/QLClEc1E5G

— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) December 9, 2021