Chennai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today addressed Parliament on last Wednesday's helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said, "Today, I stand with deep pain and great heart to convey the unfortunate news of the military helicopter crash that took place on the afternoon of 8th December with India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat . The Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter took off from Sulur Air Base at 11:48 am yesterday (Wednesday) and was expected to land in Wellington by 12:15 pm. But even before that, air traffic control lost contact with the helicopter at Sulur Air Base at around 12:08 am. '

At the same time, Rajnath Singh said, "After that, some locals saw a forest fire burning near Coonoor. When they reached there, they saw that the military helicopter was engulfed in flames. All those recovered from the wreckage of the helicopter were taken to the military hospital in Wellington. However, the latest reports have confirmed that 13 of the total 14 people on board the helicopter succumbed to their injuries. Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das, Junior Warrant Officer Arakkal Pradeep, Havaldar Satpal Rai, Naik Gursevak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B Sai Teja were martyred in the accident. '

He further said, "The deceased include Dhalika Rawat, wife of CDS, brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Liddar, defence advisor, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, staff officer and nine armed forces personnel including air force helicopter crew. Meanwhile, the Defence Minister told the Lok Sabha, "The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a three-service inquiry into the military helicopter crash. The investigation will be led by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh. It was only yesterday that the investigating team reached Wellington and launched an investigation. At the same time, he further said that all efforts are being made to save the Group Captain who is running on life support. In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The last rites of CDS General Bipin Rawat will be performed with full military honours. The last rites of other military personnel will be performed with due military honours. A two-minute silence was observed in both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) for the martyrs of the helicopter crash.

PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Ganga Expressway project on December 18

Get huge cashback on gas cylinder booking

CM Yogi Adityanath lashed out at opposition, know what he said?