India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat killed in helicopter crash

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat was killed Wednesday after the Indian Air Force helicopter he was travelling in crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. In Pic: Gen. Bipin Rawat takes the salute during the Army Day Parade in New Delhi, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019

General Bipin Rawat took over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on January 1, 2020, after the Union Cabinet on December 24 approved the creation of the post as the principal military adviser to the government. In Pic: Gen Bipin Rawat at India Gate on the occasion of Army Day in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Gen Rawat took over as the 27th Army Chief on December 31, 2016, after superseding two officers senior to him. During his tenure till December 31, 2019, he initiated studies to re-organise the Army and make it fit for the wars of the future. In Pic: General Bipin Rawat visits training posts at the Eastern Command in Sela. (ANI Photo)

General Rawat was commissioned in the Gorkha regiment in 1978, after being awarded the Sword of Honour at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He commanded an infantry battalion along the Line of Actual Control with China, and a Rashtriya Rifles sector in Kashmir as a Brigadier. He commanded an infantry division in Kashmir and a corps in Eastern Command, before serving as the Southern Army Commander and the Vice Chief of Army Staff..

General Rawat received numerous honours and awards including Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Yush Seva Medal, Seva Medal, VSM, Chief of Army Staff Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s Commendation. In Pic: Rawat along with his wife, Madhulika Rawat, during a visit to Golden Temple, in Amritsar on Sunday, July 8, 2018. Madhulika Rawat also died in the chopper crash.

General Bipin Rawat during a function to honour disabled soldiers to mark the Year of the Disabled Soldiers in line of Duty at Mamun Military Station in Pathankot on Monday, November 12, 2018.

"Gen Rawat's insights, perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply," PM Modi said after his demise.