NEW DELHI – Mortal remains of chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, wife Mudhulika and some other Army officials, killed in Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, arrived in Delhi’s Palam air base from Sulur in Coimbatore on Thursday evening.
It was reported earlier that the severity of the IAF chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district was making it difficult for the team concerned to positively identify the bodies of the 13 individuals who lost their lives in the crash. The Army, however, said the mortal remains of the CDS, his wife and Brigadier LS Lidder could be positively identified and the final rites would be performed as scheduled.
According to latest inputs, the process for positive identification of the mortal remains of 10 other Armed Forces personnel is underway. The report cited the Indian Army as saying that the mortal remains will remain at the mortuary of Army Base Hospital until formalities of positive identification are complete.
Earlier in the day, defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed Parliament during the ongoing winter session and said the Centre has directed a tri-service probe into the IAF chopper crash. He also informed the two Houses that the crash occurred after the IAF helicopter lost control with the Sulur control room at Wednesday noon.
Singh also said General Rawat’s last rites will be conducted in Delhi on Thursday with full state honours.
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