Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the crash.

India's defence minister Rajnath Singh paid homage to the victims on Thursday in parliament.

"With profound grief and heavy heart, I stand to convey the unfortunate news of the crash of the military helicopter in the noon of 8 December 2021, with India's first Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat on board," said Mr Singh.

Their bodies will be brought to the national capital of Delhi on Thursday. Gen Rawat and his wife Madhulika's funerals will be held on Friday.

The general will be cremated with full military honours.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said Gen Rawat was a "valued partner" for Washington.

"General Rawat left an indelible mark on the course of the US-India defence partnership and was at the centre of the Indian armed forces' transformation into a more jointly integrated warfighting organisation," Mr Austin said in a statement.

OBITUARY: India's 'tough' top general
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Gen Rawat an "exceptional leader".


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Nikolay Kudashev, Russia's Ambassador to India, said his country had lost "a very close friend".

On Twitter, he wrote: "[Gen Rawat] played a big role in promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership. Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander!"

Ugo Astuto, the European Union's ambassador to India, tweeted condolences to the families of the Gen Rawat and the other military personnel who died with him.

Other diplomats based in India also expressed their sadness over the crash.

Top military officers from Pakistan have also expressed condolences over the "tragic death".

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, had served with Gen Rawat in a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2008, The Hindu newspaper reported.

People light candles to pay their respect in front of a portrait of defence chief General Bipin Rawat in Siliguri on December 8, 2021.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Gen Rawat was a decorated military officer
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to Gen Rawat, who was India's first-ever Chief of Defence Staff.

On Twitter, Mr Modi said: "[Gen Rawat] brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service.

"A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptions. His passing away has saddened me deeply."

Mr Singh and other leaders also paid their respects to Gen Rawat and others.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the accident an "unprecedented tragedy".

Several film stars and sportspersons also expressed their shock over the incident.

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The Indian Air Force has ordered an investigation into the accident, which happened in foggy weather in the hills near Coonoor city. On Wednesday evening, a cabinet security committee held an emergency session, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


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