New Delhi: Air Marshal Amit Dev, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, expressed profound grief and condolences on behalf of all personnel and families of Western Air Command on the demise of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and all the officers and personnel who lost their lives in the helicopter accident.
Air Marshal Dev remembered General Rawat for his contribution to the Armed Forces. His efforts towards modernising Armed Forces shall remain etched in the memory of the nation, a statement by the Indian Air Force said.
The mortal remains of General Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and Brig Lidder were identified, and handed over to their families for last rites on Thursday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the three Service Chiefs and top political leaders and defence officials paid tributes to the CDS and others.
Highly-decorated India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other military personnel were on Wednesday killed in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, sending a wave of sorrow across the country.
