On December 8, 2021, which Asian nation lost its Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in a helicopter crash?

India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others died after the Russian made IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in the southern state of Tamilnadu, India on December 8, 2021. He was born on 16 March, 1958 in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. In recent months, he was focusing on modernising the military. General Rawat was appointed India's Chief of Defence Staff in 2019 after serving as Chief of India's one-million strong army. This brought together the Army, the Navy and the Airforce.

The accident spot was said to be covered in thick mist. The mishap reportedly happened due to low visibility caused by foggy conditions. Some visuals show the chopper in flames. The severity of the air crash has led to difficulty in positive identification of mortal remains. The mortal remains of only three persons - General Rawat, his wife and Brigadier Lidder - had been identified.

Tributes have poured in from the world notably from USA, Russia, China, UK, EU, France and other countries. "General Rawat left an indelible mark on the course of the US - India defence partnership and was the center of the Indian armed forces' transformation into a major jointly integrated warfighting organization, " US defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said.