- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
GROUP captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the December 8 helicopter crash that killed 13 people, including India’s first chief of defence staff general Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika and 11 other personnel, passed away on Wednesday (15) in a military hospital in Bengaluru in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Singh, who suffered severe burn injuries after the Mi-17 V5 military chopper crashed in a forested area in the southern state of Tamil Nadu while flying to Wellington in the same state, was being treated at the hospital where he was shifted from another hospital in Wellingotn. He was on life support, officials said.
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The Indian Air Force confirmed the death of Singh in the morning. In a statement, it said, “The IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.”
IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
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Singh received the Shaurya Chakra Award from Indian president Ram Nath Kovind on Independence Day this year for an act of gallantry in October last year.
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Deluge of wishes and messages poured in for Singh in the last one week.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who paid final tributes to Rawat and others who died in the crash last week in New Delhi, mourned the death of the group captain tweeting, “Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
Fellow officers also grieved the death of Singh. His father colonel K P Singh had called him a fighter last week.
