While Rawat has become India's first CDS, he was elevated to the post after serving as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, which has now been taken over by Indian Army Chief Naravane.
In his tribute note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away."
The Indian Air Force has ordered an inquiry into the accident and a video that was filmed before the crash has become a piece of vital evidence in the investigation.
As the convoy has become the final journey for Bipin Rawat, hundreds of local people in the Nilgiris district had paid floral tribute to Rawat and others by showering flower petals on the ambulances.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, "Our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat's family & the families of the other victims of the crash."
From Sanjay Gandhi, YSR, actress Soundarya to General Bipin Rawat, India has a history of air crashes that had killed prominent leaders. Here's the list of ten personalities who had a tragic end.
The Defence Minister has said that the Indian Air Force has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the military chopper crash and the investigation will be led by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.
Rawat's condition was immediately not known and later, it was declared that he and his wife were among the 13 deceased. As the nation has been mourning his loss, let's take a look at the timeline of the events.
