Guwahati: IAF Cancels Aerial Display Event at Lachit Ghat In View of Coonoor Helicopter Mishap

GUWAHATI: An aerial display event by Headquarters Eastern Air Command which was planned to be held on 12 December at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati aiming to celebrate the Swarnim Vijay Varsh commemorating 50 years of the country's win in the Indo-Pak War in 1971 now stands cancelled.

The event of the aerial display has now been cancelled by Indian Air Force (IAF) in light of the tragic and sudden Mi-17V5 helicopter accident that occurred in Coonoor of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday 8 December.

This disastrous military chopper crash resulted in the death of 13 people inside the helicopter including General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff and his wife Madhulika.

Indian Air Force shows their support and sympathy with the family members of those who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident in Coonoor. IAF stands in unity with the family members during such a time of grief and prays for the departed souls.

The Uttarakhand government has announced three-day mourning starting from 9 December on the sudden demise of India's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat. The last rites will be performed on Friday in the Delhi cantonment.

Mi-17V5 was a Russian-made helicopter that crashed on its way towards Defense Services Staff College in Wellington. According to IAF only Group Capt. Varun Singh has survived among those on board the chopper who is at present undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington.

The aerial display event to be organized by Headquarters Eastern Air Command scheduled on 12 December was an important part of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebration. It was informed that the aerial display will be visible from various vantage points along the bank of Brahmaputra.

The day was meant to celebrate by following a flypast by different aircraft along with sky diving by the Akash Ganga team of the Indian Air Force. It was decided that the show will also include a coordinated display by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and low-level aerobatics by SU-30 MKI of the Indian Air Force.

The Chief Guest of the ceremonious occasion would be Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, the Governor of Assam. The function is organized to be attended by officials serving, air veterans, the local populace and civil dignitaries.

Also read: India's First CDS General Bipin Rawat Is No More, Several Leaders Including PM Modi Expressed Grief

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