What happened: On the 8th of December, General Bipin Rawat, along with his wife and 13 other passengers, died in a helicopter crash. General Bipin Rawat was India’s most senior defense official and had served as the chief of India’s army. Reports suggest that 13 passengers died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter was crashed in Concour, Tamil Nadu.
Details: The Russian-made helicopter was en route from an air force base to go to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Subsequently, one of the reports claimed, “The helicopter’s pilot took the helicopter off route and it was hit by Tamil insurgents by a locally made rocket.” Who was General Bipin Rawat? Tweeting about the General, the Indian Defence Minister stated, “An irreparable loss to our armed forces of the country.” General Bipin Rawat was appointed as India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019. He was born on the 16th of March 1958 and became a four-star general of the Indian army at last. General Rawat was also part of the UN Mission in Congo and received multiple awards, including Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.