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Helicopter crash kills India's top military official, 12 others

Bipin Rawat was traveling with his wife, staff, and security detail at the time of the crash

Published: December 8, 2021 8:53am

Updated: December 8, 2021 9:06am

India's top military official, Bipin Rawat, died Wednesday in a helicopter crash in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. 

The 63-year-old defense chief was traveling with his wife, staff and security commandos at the time of the crash in the Russian-made helicopter.

Of the 14 passengers aboard, 13 died and one is being treated at a nearby military hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Rawat's "insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply."