CDS Bipin Rawat laid to rest with 17-gun salute, full military honours

New Delhi : India’s first CDS Bipin Rawat has been laid to rest with full military honours at Brar Square crematorium in the Delhi Cantonment on Friday. His last rites were performed along with his wife Madhulika Rawat, who also lost her life in the same helicopter crash.

As per updates, his family members lit the funeral pyre as the CDS was accorded 17-gun salute and full military honours. His two daughters Kritika and Tarini paid tribute to their parents. Other family members were also present during the last rites.

Large number of people gathered outside the Brar Square crematorium as armed forces personnel took the mortal remains of Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat inside the crematorium.

Along with about 800 service personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain and British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis were also in attendance for the military funeral of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff.

Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of General Rawat and his wife were kept at their 3, Kamraj Marg official residence before cremation, to allow people to pay their respects.

Several dignitaries also payed floral tributes and last respects till the funeral procession left. Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and a host of other dignitaries, among others on Friday laid wreaths on the mortal remains of General Rawat and his wife.

On Wednesday, Bipin Rawat's helicopter had crashed near Coonoour in Tamil Nadu. 11 other Defence personnel had lost their lives in the incident.