Army Commander in India to attend Indian CDS funeral

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva leaves for New Delhi, early on Friday (10) in order to attend the military funeral of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat who was killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday (8) with his wife and 11 others, including military officers.

General Shavendra Silva on hearing of the tragic demise of his counterpart in India, expressed his deep sorrow and shock in a special condolence message, released to media and to the High Commission of India in Colombo.

He paid tribute to his memory as a true friend of Sri Lankan Armed Forces and a military leader, saying that “his mature military knowledge, command, leadership traits, visionary mission and amiable working relationship would have ushered in a new era of dynamic professionalism and infused a great inspiration to the troops under his command in the wake of global and regional tensions that posed multifaceted challenges”.

The military funeral of General Bipin Rawat will take place in the Delhi Cantonment after mortal remains of both General Rawat and his spouse, Mrs Madhulika Rawat are brought to New Delhi Cantonment from their residence on Kamraj Marg for cremation at Brar Square crematorium.

India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his spouse, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and few officers who were flying in a helicopter to attend a formal ceremony at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington crashed in the area close to Coonoor in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu State on Wednesday (8) noon.

At 11.00 am on Friday (10), the remains of General Rawat and wife, Madhulika will be taken to their official residence, and by 2.00 pm, the military funeral, escorted by military bands of all three services is scheduled to take place at Brar Crematorium in Dhaula Quan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajith Doval, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin, Army, Navy and Air Force Chiefs of the respective staff, and many others are among those who paid tribute to late General Bipin Rawat.

The lone survivor of the crash is in critical condition and the crash claimed the lives of 11 others including military officers.