IAF orders inquiry in chopper crash, says Rajnath, all bodies will be brought to Delhi

NEW DELHI: In his statement to Parliament, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered an inquiry into the chopper crash in Tamil Nadu that killed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others.

The Defence Minister said that the probe will be headed by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.

He added that the IAF inquiry team had reached Wellington on Wednesday and already started investigations.

General Rawat's last rites will be performed with full military honours, Rajnath told Parliament, adding that the last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate honour.

The Lok Sabha also observed a two-minute silence on the demise of the 13 people in Wednesday's crash of the M 17 helicopter.

There were 14 in the copter and 13 have died. All bodies will be brought to Delhi, the minister said. All will be laid to rest with full honours, he said.

The copter lost connection with the airbase at 12.15 pm. It was to land at 12.15 pm. The condition of Varun Singh, the lone survivor in the accident, continues to be criticial.

Rajnath Singh said best treatment is given to Varun Singh and he would be shifted to the Bangalore Air Force Command Hospital.