India’s top military commander General Bipin Rawat got died in a helicopter crash in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. On Wednesday morning, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city.

General Bipin Rawat was 63 years old and was appointed India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.

On Twitter, Mr Modi said: ” Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti.

The Russian-made Mi-17V5 military helicopter had just taken off from an army base in Sulur and was heading for Wellington town to Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), less than 100km (62 miles) away. Onboard with Gen Rawat and his wife were seven other military passengers and five crew members, including the pilot.