On Wednesday, officials claimed, an Indian military helicopter carrying Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat crashed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

According to an Indian Air Force statement posted on Twitter, a Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Gen. Rawat was involved in an accident near Conoor. "An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the statement continued.

On the condition of anonymity, a senior army official told Anadolu Agency that a rescue operation is underway in the region.

The number of survivors and those killed in the catastrophe was unknown immediately.

The helicopter's wreckage was displayed on local news channels, and the rescue operation continued.

Rawat was appointed India's first Chief of Defense Staff in 2019, taking over command of the country's three military services.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's largest opposition party, the Indian National Congress, expressed hope for the safety of "CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and others onboard the chopper."