Mortal remains of Rana Pratap Das died in Coonoor chopper crash reach Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Mortal remains of Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Rana Pratap Das, who died along with CDS General Bipin Rawat in a tragic chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8, reached Biju Patnaik Internarional Airport here today.

The body was brought in a special IAF flight to Bhubaneswar at around 12.00 noon.

Source said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other political leaders will pay floral tributes to the immortal soul at the airport. The personnel of 120 Battalion will pay guard of honour to IAF officer. After that, the body will be taken to his village Krushnachandrapur under Kundala panchayat of Talcher area in Angul district where his family and relatives will pay the last respect to the departed soul. He will be cremated at his village with full military honours.

Rana Pratap Das, who was a Junior Warrant Officer in the IAF, had been serving the nation for the last 12 years. He was among 13 persons including General Bipin Rawat, who were on board the Mi17V5 helicopter that crashed in a forest area around 7 km from Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

The late IAF official had married three years ago. He is survived by wife and 1-year-old son.

Also Read: IAF officer Rana Pratap Das from Odisha among 13 killed in Coonoor chopper crash