Bhopal: Lone survivor of Tamil Nadu chopper crash, Group Captain Varun Singh was laid to rest at his hometown Bhopal today.Group Captain Singh, a recipient of Shaurya Chakra, was the only person on board the chopper who escaped death on site amongst Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others.
Sustaining severe injuries Captain Varun fought for his life at the military hospital in Bengaluru and succumned to the injuries on Wednesday.Tributes poured in from several dignitaires after the IAF issued the statement on Wednesday confirming the demise of the brave soldier of the country. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid last respects to the Air Force officer at the Bairagarh crematorium in Bhopal today and extended condolences to the family of the officer.
Group Capt Varun Singh who belonged to Bhopal, graduated from NDA in 2003. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot in 2004 and mainly flew Jaguars and Tejas during his flying career. The officer was conferred with Shauray Chakra on August 15 for his assertive efforts to avoid a mid air collision while facing technical issuein the Tejas he was flying.
CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and wife Madhulika and 11 other personnel died in the air crash that the Captain had sustained injuries from. The team was heading towards Wellington from Sulur Air base where the CDS was scheduled to address a gathering at the Defence College.A top level inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause behind the crash of their Mi17V5 Air Force chopper.