Dalai Lama, Nepal PM, UN chief mourn demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat

Dalai Lama. File pic

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday mourned the demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and others travelling with him in a fatal helicopter crash.

"I pray for the General and his companions and offer my heartfelt condolences to the members of the families of all those who perished in this unfortunate accident.

"I salute General Rawat's long-standing contribution in the service of the nation," the spiritual leader said in a statement.

General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 defence personnel were killed after the Mi-17V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed at Kattery in Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday.

Earlier, Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday said that he is deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces," tweeted Deuba.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed his sadness about the death of Rawat and shared his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and government of India, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, according to a Xinhua report.

Rawat served the United Nations with distinction and his work was fully appreciated, he said.

He was brigade commander of the North Kivu Brigade of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2008 and 2009.

The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III on Wednesday (local time) said that they are "deeply saddened by this loss".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rawat family and the families of the other victims of the crash. We are deeply saddened by this loss," said Austin.

"I and the Department extend our deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military, and the people of India after the tragic passing of Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash," added Austin.

Here are some of the other reactions by foreign officials: