Mi17 Chopper crash

The greatest challenge for the government is the appointment of the next CDS who will be expected to take over Gen Rawat's responsibility to make the Indian military modern and capable of dealing with any emerging security challenges on the Northern or Western borders.

The lone survivor's condition remains critical due to the severe burn injuries inflicted from the crash on Wednesday. The Group Captain was first moved to Sulur in an ambulance by road on Thursday and later moved to Bengaluru by air for better treatment.

The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people on board on Wednesday was observed flying unusually low before it entered into heavy fog and smashed into the hillside. The crashed chopper went up in flames with all 14 people which included the CDS, his wife and other high ranking army officials.

The mortal remains of both CDS Gen Rawat and his wife will be cremated at Delhi Cantonment and the funeral procession will start from Kamraj Marg and reach Brar Square. The last rites will be performed with full military honours on Friday at Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment.

India's first CDS and his wife, Madhulika Rawat, lost their lives to an ill-fated military chopper crash that took place in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday and killed 11 others including the first CDS and his wife. He had two lovely daughters with his wife who studied psychology from Delhi University and had been a constant support system for Gen Rawat throughout his term of service to the nation.

The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people onboard on Wednesday, is an advanced military transport chopper, manufactured in Russia, and has been with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2012. The helicopter has an onboard weather radar. IAF's Mi17V5 chopper has been involved in many incidents during the last decade. On Wednesday the Mi17V5 chopper crashed and took life of 13 people including CDS Bipin Rawat, and his wife.