Group Captain Varun Singh , the lone survivor of the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash in which CDS General Bipin Rawat died, was undergoing treatment at Bangalore’s Command Hospital
He had been on life support, according to officials. On Tuesday, speaking to news agency ANI, IAF officials had said, “Group Captain Varun Singh’s medical condition continues to be critical but he is stable. He is on life support system in Bangalore Command Hospital.”
President Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted condolences. President Kovind said the nation was grateful for the Group Captain’s service and that he “displayed the soldierly spirit of valour and indomitable courage”.
Shortly after it was confirmed that Group Captain Varun Singh had passed away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid condolences on Twitter.
Describing the Group Captain as a “true fighter”, “Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot, 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,” the Defence Minister tweeted.
“Pained beyond words to learn of the demise of IAF pilot, 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,” he said.
The officer’s father, Colonel KP Singh, had last week described his son as a fighter.
“The 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 Air Force said