The Indian Air Force has said that Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the Mi-17 helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others last week, succumbed early on December 15 .
The statement said, "The Indian Air Force is deeply saddened to inform about the passing away of brave Group Captain Varun Singh, who died due to injuries sustained in a helicopter crash this morning on December 8, 21. The Indian Air Force expresses its deepest condolences. And stands firmly with the bereaved family." on social media.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Twitter that he was saddened beyond words to learn about the passing away of Group Captain Varun Singh. “He was a true fighter 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."
IAF is deeply saddened to inform the passing away of braveheart Group Captain Varun Singh, who succumbed this morning to the injuries sustained in the helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21. IAF offers sincere condolences and stands firmly with the bereaved family.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 15, 2021
The Mi-17 V5, along with General Rawat, his wife and 12 other army personnel, was on its way from Sulur to Defense Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, when it crashed at the Nilgiris near the destination. Group Captain Varun Singh was the directing staff in DSSC.
After being rescued from the crash site, G.P. Captain Singh was taken to Military Hospital, Wellington, and later to Command Hospital, Bengaluru, where despite best efforts his medical condition remains critical. Officials said he had suffered severe burns and was unconscious.
Paying tributes to Group Captain Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media, "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."
In August, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, India's third highest peacetime gallantry award for exceptional gallantry as a Wing Commander in October 2020 when he was deployed with a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron.
On October 12, 2020, he was performing a test flight at the LCA when an emergency developed due to a cockpit pressurization failure at high altitude.
“He displayed exceptional courage and skill to land the fighter jets safely. The pilot went beyond the call of duty and landed the aircraft taking the calculated risk. This allowed an accurate analysis of the fault on the indigenously designed fighter and the institution of preventive measures against recoil,” the quote said.