Nation in tears as bodies arrive in Delhi

CDS Gen. Rawat’s funeral to be held with full military honours today, Only 3 of 13 bodies identified so far.

New Delhi: The mortal remains of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other armed forces personnel who were killed in the IAF chopper crash in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor Wednesday, arrived at the Palam air base in New Delhi Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval paid tribute to those who lost their lives.

Only three out of 13 bodies have been identified so far — those of Gen. Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, and Brigadier L.S. Lidder.

Gen. Rawat’s funeral will take place with full military honours in New Delhi on Friday. The Lok Sabha on Thursday paid tributes to Gen Rawat and 12 others who died in the crash.

The members also stood in silence for a brief while as a mark of respect for the departed souls.

Speaker Om Birla said that Rawat had worked a lot towards bringing in reforms in the system and would be remembered for his dedication.

Rajnath Singh briefed Parliament on the crash. He told the Lok Sabha Thursday that the chopper lost contact with Air Traffic Control at Sulur Air Base seven minutes before it was expected to land. Singh also said that a tri-Service inquiry into the incident has been ordered. It will be headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command. -(Agencies)