Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning after a chartered aircraft carrying him and others crash-landed at Baramati airport, officials said. The tragic incident occurred around 8.45 am as the aircraft was attempting to land after departing from Mumbai.
According to initial reports from aviation sources and state officials, the plane veered off the runway during the landing approach. Visuals from the crash site showed wreckage near the landing strip, with smoke billowing from the aircraft.
Authorities confirmed that Pawar and several others on board lost their lives in the accident. Emergency response teams, including local police, fire services and medical personnel, rushed to the spot immediately. Victims were pulled out of the wreckage and taken to nearby medical facilities, where they were declared dead.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to launch a detailed investigation into the crash to determine its exact cause. Preliminary indications suggest that technical factors during the landing phase may have contributed to the accident, though officials said conclusions would be drawn only after a thorough probe.
Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, was one of the most influential figures in Maharashtra politics. He served as the Deputy Chief Minister and held key portfolios in the state government, playing a central role in governance and political strategy.
News of his sudden death sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the country, with political leaders across party lines expressing grief and condolences.
Official statements from the Maharashtra government, the DGCA and the local administration regarding the exact number of casualties and details of the investigation are awaited.
