Six bodies from helicopter crash identified positive, handed over to families

The unfortunate helicopter crashed on Wednesday afternoon, killing 13 of the 14

The bodies of two soldiers and four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel killed in the Mi-17V5 chopper crash have been identified and handed over to their families for last rites, defense officials said on Saturday. Efforts are on to identify the remaining four bodies.

“The bodies of Lance Naik B Sai Teja and Lance Naik Vivek Kumar have been positively identified and released to close family members in the morning,” an Army official said. In addition, the mortal remains of all the four IAF crew on board the chopper were also completed.

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Thereafter, wreaths were laid at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt and the remains were flown to their respective destinations in an IAF transport aircraft. The last rites will be performed at their destination with appropriate military honours, the official said, adding that efforts are on to positively identify the remaining mortal remains.

The unfortunate helicopter crashed on Wednesday afternoon, killing 13 of the 14, The medical condition of Captain Varun Singh, the lone GP who survived the accident, remains critical but remains stable and is undergoing treatment at Command Hospital, Bengaluru.

All the mortal remains were brought to Delhi on Thursday evening but only three bodies were positively identified that day – General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat and Brigadier LS Lidar. He was cremated with full military honors at the Berar Square crematorium on Friday.

The relatives of all the deceased personnel had reached Delhi and their help has also been sought in the identification process.