Chennai : Four senior army officials were killed when An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, with Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 others on board, crashed near Coonoor in the hilly Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday afternoon.
IAF in a tweet said “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.”
An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Defence sources said 14 people were in the ill-fated helicopter which was heading to Wellingdon from Sulur when it crashed in the Katteri hilly area and exploded.
So far four bodies, which were charred beyond recognition and were yet to be identified, were recovered from the spot.
Three officers, who sustained serious injuries and burns, were shifted to a hospital.
The fate of the remaining seven people, including Gen Rawat was being ascertained.
Rescue and relief operations were on in the crash spot.
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan said a special medical team has been sent to Coonoor to provide treatment to the injured.
More Stories
Railway Minister Dedicated to Inagurated Various Railway Project in West Bengal & Flagged off New Train Services
150th Monumental National Flag Pole of Flag Foundation of India installed at Patnagarh
CM Highlights Collectors’ Key Role, Shares Police Misbehaviour Experience