Indian CDS, wife killed in chopper crash, cremated

by Zulfick Farzan 10-12-2021 | 5:17 PM

(New Delhi); Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who was killed along with his wife in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (8), were cremated with full military honours in Delhi on Friday (10).

Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were among several leaders to lay wreaths and pay respect to Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat at their official residence in Delhi this morning before cremation.

Sri Lankan Army Commander General Shavendra Silva also flew to New Delhi representing the country, to attend the cremation and pay his respects.

The funeral of Brigadier Lakhwinder Singh Lidder, defence assistant to General Rawat and another victim of the chopper crash, was held at Delhi Cantonment earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night led tributes to all those who were killed in the chopper crash.

The Mi-17V5 Air Force chopper -- described as "the workhorse of the Air Force" and widely seen as a stable aircraft -- crashed after it took off from Sulur.

The CDS was accorded a 17 gun salute, as per laid down protocols. Post the playing of the Last Post and Rouse by tri services buglers, the funeral pyre was lit by family members.