Deharadun, December 09: As India agonises over the unfortunate demise of its Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the Uttarakhand government has announced a three-day state mourning.

 

Additional Principal Secretary to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami informed on Wednesday that a three-day State mourning will be observed in Uttarakhand following the grim incident that had unfolded earlier in the day.

 

"Chief Minister has declared three-day State mourning in Uttarkhand on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and other Armed Forces personnel in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu earlier today," Abhinav Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Uttarakhand CM said in a statement issued by Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

 

 

 

The announcement came in as the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the demise of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other armed forces personnel who were flying in the IAF Mi-17V5 VIP chopper that crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Upper Coonoor region a few minutes before reaching its destination. 13 out of 14 passengers onboard succumbed to their injuries in the crash, IAF Captain Varun Singh is the lone survivor.

 

The mortal remains of the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika along with other Armed Forces personnel killed in the chopper crash at Coonoor are expected to arrive in Delhi by evening on December 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement regarding the IAF chopper crash at Tamil Nadu's Coonoor, in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

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