A look at the illustrious career of CDS Bipin Rawat

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A look at the illustrious career of CDS Bipin Rawat (Image: Twitter/ianuragthakur)
A look at the illustrious career of CDS Bipin Rawat (Image: Twitter/ianuragthakur)

New Delhi : India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others lost their lives in a tragic IAF helicopter crash on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. He was going to Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the staff course.

13 out of 14 onboard lost their lives in the tragic incident, one person who survived is currently undergoing treatment at the Miltary Hospital, Wellington. As India lost one of the greatest fighters, here is a look at the illustrious career he had.

India’s First CDS: After the Centre announced the creation of the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), retiring Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was named the first tri-service chief on December 30 with effect from December 31, 2019.  

27th Chief of Army Staff: On December 17, 2016, Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, succeeding General Dalbir Singh Suhag (COAS). He had commissioned into the Army in December 1978 in the same unit as his father, the fifth battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles.

Militancy in Northeast: General Bipin Rawat was instrumental in reducing militancy in the Northeast. Under his supervision, the successful mission was carried out from the operation command of the Dimapur-based III Corps.

2016 Surgical Strike: General Rawat is known for carrying out successful planning for the 2016 surgical strikes. The Indian Army had crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and every action there was under the close eye of General Rawat.

Myanmar Mission: In his 40-year career, General Rawat had played a pivotal role in containing insurgency in the Northeast and supervising 2015 cross-border operation in Myanmar. Apart from this, General Rawat was also part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNPF) and commanded a multinational brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Officer from Gorkha Regiment: General Bipin Rawat was a notable officer from the Gorkha Regiment. He was the fourth officer from the Gorkha Regiment to become the Chief of Army Staff.

40 years in military: He had an association with the Indian Army for over four decades. He held various positions of a Brigade Commander, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-C) Southern Command, General Staff Officer Grade-2 at the Military Operations Directorate, Colonel Military Secretary and Deputy Military Secretary in the Military Secretary’s Branch and Senior Instructor in the Junior Command Wing.

Awards: General Rawat was recognized for his service to the nation. He was honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and Sena Medal.