Chennai 

An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat has crashed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

Rawat, some family members of his family were on board in the Mi-series chopper that crashed between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu.

According to Indian Air Force search and rescue operations have been launched from nearby bases.

#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.

(Video Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

"An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident", Indian Air Force said.

The local military officers have reached the location and were told that locals have taken two bodies with 80 per cent burns to a local hospital.

Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.

(Pics Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/miALr88sm1

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

Few bodies can be seen downhill in the area of the accident. Efforts are on to retrieve the bodies and check identities