The Nilgiris, Dec 8: As many as five people have been killed in the military chopper crash, Tamil Nadu State Forest Minister K Ramachandran said. The chopper crashed near Coonoor in the nearby hilly in the Nilgiris district.

“The chopper with 14 people on board, including Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, has crashed, As many as five people are dead, while two are grievously wounded. The rescue operation is underway,” Ramachandran said.

The details of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.

“An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” Indian Air Force tweeted earlier.