BENGALURU: Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the IAF Mi 17 V5 chopper crash that took the lives of India’s apex military officer Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 other personnel on December 8, succumbed to his injuries at Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru.
Confirming the news in a tweet on Wednesday, the Indian air Force (IAF) said, “IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.”
IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
After the crash, Singh was taken to the Military Hospital in Wellington for treatment of injuries before being shifted to the Air Force Command Hospital in Bengaluru, where he succumbed to his injuries.
On the fateful day, CDS Bipin Rawat was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of his alma mater when the chopper carrying the CDS and his entourage crashed minutes before the landing was to take place. “An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF had tweeted.
An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was extremely anguished by the news, “Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
The last rites of CDS Bipin Rawat were performed with full military honours at the Brar Square Crematorium in the Delhi cantonment. As per protocol, CDS Rawat was given a 17-gun salute at his funeral. PM Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were among those present.