The Last Rites of the CDS will be performed in Delhi, while Captain Varun Singh of the Lone Survivor Group is undergoing treatment

The Indian Air Force stated that Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other individuals on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in an accident near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. "Today, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat paid a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address faculty and student officers of the Staff Course," the statement added. General Rawat's death rites will be performed in New Delhi.

An Indian Air Force chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his staff, and at least one family member crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, with no word on the CDS's condition. Thirteen of the fourteen people on board were confirmed dead after the helicopter crashed in the Nilgiris immediately after taking off from the army facility in Sulur. The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident on Twitter: "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." According to sources, the Union Cabinet is currently meeting, and Rajnath Singh, the Raksha Mantri, has updated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation.

In the aftermath of the Coonoor helicopter disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting at 6.30 p.m. Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff General MM Naravane briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the military chopper mishap. The defence minister paid a visit to CDS Bipin Rawat's home to update his family on the situation.