PM Modi leads nation in paying tributes to Gen Rawat, 12 others killed in IAF chopper crash

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the nation’s prime navy brass on Thursday paid homage to India’s first Chief of Defence Employees Gen Bipin Rawat, his spouse Madhulika, Brig LS Lidder and 10 extra defence personnel on the Palam air base after their our bodies have been dropped at Delhi in a navy plane.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Military Chief MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Air Chief Marshal AVR Chaudhari and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar have been amongst those that paid homage to the deceased at a sombre ceremony.

“Paid my final respects to Gen Bipin Rawat, his spouse and different personnel of the Armed Forces. India will always remember their wealthy contribution,” Modi tweeted.

Coronary heart-wrenching scenes have been seen on the Palam airport as 13 caskets have been lined up inside a hangar in presence of their members of the family.

The prime minister additionally reached out to the members of the family of the deceased and talked to them for a couple of minutes.

The 13 individuals have been killed when their helicopter crashed close to Coonoor in Tamil Nadu in an air tragedy that triggered grief throughout the nation.

An Indian Air Power C-130J Tremendous Hercules transport plane carrying the our bodies from the Sulur airbase touched down on the Palam technical airport round 7:35 pm.

Solely three of the 13 our bodies have been recognized to date — Gen Rawat and his spouse, Madhulika Rawat and Brigadier LS Lidder. Military officers mentioned the our bodies of these recognized can be launched to the households for final rites.

The opposite our bodies can be stored on the mortuary on the Military Base Hospital until they’re recognized.

The our bodies of Gen Rawat and his spouse can be stored at their 3 Kamaraj Marg residence for most people to pay their remaining respects from 11 am to 12:30 pm Friday.

The slot between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm can be stored for navy personnel to pay their respects to the excellent commander and his spouse.

The ultimate journey of Gen Rawat from his residence to the Brar Sq. crematorium is scheduled to start out round 2 pm. The funeral is scheduled for 4 pm. Brigadier Lidder’s funeral could be held at 9 am.

All of the our bodies have been to be taken to the Military hospital Dhaula Kuan after the tribute ceremony.

Moreover Gen Rawat, his spouse and Brig Lidder, the ten different personnel killed within the accident are: Lt Col Harjinder Singh, Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Chief Okay Singh, JWO Das, JWO Pradeep A, Havildar Satpal, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar and Lance Naik Sai Teja.

The lone survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh, is at present present process remedy at a navy hospital in Bengaluru.