iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Pecker is a key witness in the case against the former US president, who is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payment
KT APPDOWNLOAD
India: Army helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat crashes, 13 dead
Rescue operations are currently underway.
ANI
A military helicopter carrying Indian defence chief General Bipin Rawat crashed in southern India on Wednesday, killing at least 13 out of the 14 people onboard, and officials said the identities of the bodies have yet to be confirmed.
Two defence sources said they were trying to ascertain Rawat's status following the crash near the town of Coonoor.
"We don't know yet," one of the sources told Reuters. Both declined to be named.
Rawat was travelling from an Indian Air Force base in Sulur to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to deliver a lecture. Hill station Coonoor is along the flight path.
Rawat was appointed as India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in late 2019. The position was set up with the aim of integrating India's three services - the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
The Air Force said that Rawat, who had previously served as India's Chief of Army Staff, was travelling in an Mi-17V5 helicopter. India has dozens of the Russian military chopper that are widely used by the military as well as top government ministers visiting defence locations.
"This is a safe, proven helicopter, I have travelled on it in difficult situations," former army chief JJ Singh said.
Video footage from Reuters partner ANI and local media showed rescue workers dousing steaming wreckage of the mangled chopper in a wooded area.
"An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the Air Force said in a tweet.
More news from
The oil and gas conglomerate and Fifa, the world governing body, sign major sponsorship agreement
Toomaj Salehi risks being hanged after the conviction on the Shariah charge of "corruption on Earth" by a Revolutionary Court
Aid groups warn any invasion would add to already-catastrophic conditions for Gaza's 2.4 million people
The American they will face Australia and Serbia on July 15 and July 17 as part of their preparation for the Paris Olympic Games
The leaders emphasise that the deal to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza
Dubai-based Sumit Augustine has had a philosophical approach towards spending
The regional upswing also defies oil production cutbacks
