Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, 9 December, paid his last respects to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and other Armed Forces personnel, whose mortal remains reached the Palam Airbase in Delhi in a special Indian Airforce aircraft earlier in the evening. He also met the family members of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also met the family members after paying his last respects. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had also reached the airbase to pay tribute to the deceased.
An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, which was carrying CDS General Rawat, crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday, 8 December, leading to the unexpected demise of Rawat, his wife, and 11 other officials.
Meanwhile, news agency ANI reported that civilians will be able to pay tribute to CDS General Bipin Rawat from 11 am and 12:30 pm at his Karaj marg residence on Friday, 10 December. Military personnel will be allowed to pay respects between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.
The mortal remains of General Rawat will then be taken in a gun carriage for funeral in Delhi Cantt Brar Square, reported ANI.
The last rites of Brigadier LS Lidder will be held at 9:15 am in Delhi Cantt on Friday.
The Indian Army, on Thursday, said they had positively identified the bodies of CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and Brigadier LS Lidder, reported ANI.
"Positive identification of only three mortal remains has been possible as of now (Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, and Brig LS Lidder), and their mortal remains will be released to the next of kin for final religious rites as desired by respective families," the Indian Army said, as per ANI.
"The process for positive identification of remaining mortal remains is continuing. Mortal remains will be kept at the Mortuary of Army Base Hospital till completion of positive identification formalities."
"Appropriate military funerals of all deceased are being planned and coordinated in close consultation with close family members," the Indian Army further said.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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