The Indian Air Force on Wednesday confirmed that there was an accident involving an Indian military helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat aboard.
Reports said fourteen people were on board the chopper with five confirmed dead, while the others were in critical conditions.
Earlier, the media had reported that the helicopter crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, southern India and a search and rescue operation had been launched.
“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,’’ the air force tweeted.
Sources from the Tamil Nadu police told Sputnik that the Chief of Defence Staff was likely to be among the injured.
