Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar And Four Others Killed In Plane Crash
Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning after the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport.
The tragic accident also claimed the lives of four others on board, including two pilots and Pawar’s security personnel, officials said.
The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 45, had taken off from Mumbai earlier in the day and was en route to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to address four public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
According to preliminary information, the plane attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport before it crashed under circumstances that are yet to be officially explained.
Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft completely destroyed, with debris scattered across the area.
A massive fire broke out immediately after the crash, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Emergency services rushed to the spot, but there were no survivors, officials confirmed. The entire aircraft was reduced to ashes due to the intensity of the blaze.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the death of Ajit Pawar in the crash and has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
However, there has been no official statement yet from Pawar’s office or the Maharashtra government regarding the exact cause of the accident. Authorities have said a technical failure or weather-related issue cannot be ruled out at this stage.
Ajit Pawar, 66, had attended a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday and was travelling to Baramati as part of his election outreach programme in Pune district. Known as one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures, Pawar played a key role in state politics for decades and was closely associated with Baramati, his political stronghold.
Following the news of the crash, family members and close relatives, including his cousin and senior NCP leader Supriya Sule, rushed to Baramati.
Political leaders across party lines expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of the veteran leader, with condolences pouring in from across the country.
