CO of 109 Helicopter Unit was flying CDS Rawat's chopper

Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan was the pilot of the crashed Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter, carrying Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others, informed sources.

According to the sources, he was the Commanding Officer of the 109 Helicopter Unit.

General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), died in the military helicopter that crashed in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Indian Air Force said.

'With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident,' tweeted IAF.

Gen Rawat, India's first CDS was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed near Coonor in the Nilgiris district.

'Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today,' the IAF added.