General Bipin Rawat of the Indian Army who lost his life in today’s helicopter crash was not just the chief of Defence Staff but also the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Armed Forces.
Previously he served as the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army and had a scandalous past throughout his service. Along with scandals he attracted criticism from junior officers because the Indian Army under his command was dominated by Pakistan Air Force in Operation Swift Retort.
Just a month before his death he made another controversial comment on Kashmiris that caused a huge backlash. On 11th November 2021, General Bipin Rawat legitimized the lynching and burning of Kashmiris which was against the law but the Indian Army proceeded with his orders.