Veteran politician Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, died on Wednesday morning after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport in Pune district, officials confirmed.
Crash during emergency landing attempt
The chartered aircraft, identified as a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) flying from Mumbai to Baramati, attempted an emergency landing on Wednesday around 8.45 am. Initial reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and official sources said the plane crashed near the runway and burst into flames, with devastating wreckage scattered at the site.
Fire and smoke were seen billowing from the crash site, and emergency services rushed to the scene. Visuals from Baramati showed the aircraft severely damaged, with rescue and recovery operations underway.
Five others also killed
Alongside Ajit Pawar, two pilots and at least two of his security personnel were also killed in the crash, officials said, bringing the confirmed casualty count to at least five. Pawar had been travelling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the accident occurred.
Shock and investigation begin
News of the crash triggered immediate shock across Maharashtra’s political circles, with leaders expressing grief over the sudden loss of a key figure in state politics. Pawar, 66, was known for his decades-long role in shaping Maharashtra’s fiscal policy and governance.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered an inquiry into the cause of the crash, and local authorities have cordoned off the area as technical and forensic teams begin investigations.
As details continue to emerge, official statements from the state government and family are expected later in the day.