Group Captain Varun Singh, who was the only survivor of the IAF chopper crash which killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and a dozen other personnel, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday after receiving treatment for nearly a week at a hospital in Bengaluru.

Group Captain Varun Singh was shifted to the Command Hospital in Bengaluru from Wellington in Tamil Nadu on Thursday after he sustained severe burn injuries from the crash. “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,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) informed in a statement on social media.

Offering his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

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