Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told Parliament that Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the military chopper crash.
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.
"Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the military chopper crash. The investigation will be led by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh. The inquiry team reached Wellington yesterday itself and started the investigation," Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha.
General Rawat's last rites will be performed with full military honours, Rajnath Singh told Parliament, adding that the last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate honour.
"The last rites of CDS General Bipin Rawat will be performed with full military honours. The last rites of other military personnel will be performed with appropriate military honour," Rajnath Singh said.
Group Captain Varun Singh, the only survivor of the helicopter crash in which Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others were killed, is is on life support and "all efforts are being made to save him", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told parliament.
"Group Captain Varun Singh is on life support in Military Hospital, Wellington. All efforts are being made to save his life," he said.
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.
General Rawat was travelling from Sulur to Wellington in Tamil Nadu when his helicopter crashed near Coonoor on Wednesday. Lok Sabha observed a two-minute silence on the demise of the 13 people.
(With inputs from ANI)
