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New Delhi: Decorated Air Warrior Group Captain Varun Singh died at a military hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday, a week after he was critically injured in a helicopter crash near Coonoor, in which CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 armed The soldiers of the forces were killed.
The Indian Air Force said that the ‘brave’ Group Captain succumbed to his injuries this morning.
It said, “The Indian Air Force is deeply saddened to inform about the passing away of Bahadur Group Captain Varun Singh, who died due to injuries sustained in a helicopter crash this morning on 08 December 21. The Indian Air Force expresses its deepest condolences and condolences. Standing firmly with the bereaved family.” Twitter.
Indian Air Force is deeply saddened to inform about the passing away of Bahadur Group Captain Varun Singh, who died due to injuries sustained in a helicopter crash this morning on 08 December 21. The Indian Air Force expresses its deepest condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.
– Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
The Group Captain was admitted to a hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu after suffering serious burns following a Mi-17V5 helicopter crash last Wednesday.
Last Thursday, Group Captain Singh was shifted from Wellington to Command Hospital in Bengaluru.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the demise of Group Captain Singh and said that his rich service to the nation will never be forgotten.
Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valor and utmost professionalism. I am deeply hurt by his death. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Calmness.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2021
Describing the Group Captain as a “true fighter”, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said he fought till his last breath.
“Pained beyond words to learn about the passing away of IAF pilot, Group Captain Varun Singh. He was a true warrior who fought till his last breath. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends. We stand firmly with the family in this hour of grief.”
Pained beyond words to learn about the passing away of IAF pilot, Group Captain Varun Singh. He was a true warrior who fought till his last breath. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends. We stand firmly with the family in this hour of grief. https://t.co/hZrdatjaAA
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 15, 2021
Group Captain Singh was on board the ill-fated Russian-made helicopter as the liaison officer for the visit of General Rawat, India’s senior-most military officer, to the Defense Services Staff College in Wellington. He was working as an instructor in a reputed institute.
Group Captain Singh received General Rawat at the Sulur airbase from where the helicopter crashed and was headed for Wellington.
Group Captain Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for displaying exemplary restraint and skill when his Tejas aircraft suffered a technical snag on October 12 last year.
The award citation stated that despite being under extreme physical and mental stress in a life threatening condition, he maintained exemplary restraint and recovered the aircraft while exhibiting exceptional flying skills.
Faced with a possible threat to his own life, he displayed exceptional courage and skill to control and land the fighter planes safely, saving hundreds of crores.
“The pilot went beyond the call of duty and landed the aircraft taking calculated risks. This allowed an accurate analysis of the fault of the indigenously designed fighter and the institution of preventive measures against recoil,” it said.
Colonel (Retd) KP Singh, father of Group Captain Singh, had served in the Army Air Defense (AAD).
Singh’s family is originally from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.
Read also: Delay in appointment of new CDS after General Rawat—is it about passing the loyalty test?
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