Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has died in a plane crash along with four others, India’s aviation regulator confirmed on Tuesday.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft, which had departed from Mumbai, crash-landed at the airport in Baramati—Pawar’s home constituency and intended destination.
VIDEO | Baramati: Visuals from the accident site show debris of the crashed aircraft. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and others were killed after the aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning.
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/LZYfiGS5xe
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
Details of the Crash
Visuals from the scene show a harrowing sight, with the charred wreckage of the aircraft engulfed in thick plumes of black smoke and flames. Emergency responders reached the site shortly after the impact, but authorities have confirmed there were no survivors.
Among the deceased are:
- Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
- Two members of Pawar’s personal staff.
- Two flight crew members.
The DGCA has not yet confirmed the official cause of the crash, and an investigation into the technical data and flight conditions is underway.
National Reaction
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning, posting a tribute on X (formerly Twitter).
“Saddened by the news of the crash,” the Prime Minister wrote. “My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief.” In a follow-up post, the PM paid specific tribute to Pawar’s years of service to the state.
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A Political Powerhouse
Ajit Pawar was a central figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape for decades. The nephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit eventually carved out his own path, leading a significant faction of the party to join the state’s governing alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Known for his administrative grip and influence in rural Maharashtra, Pawar served as Deputy Chief Minister multiple times throughout his career. His sudden passing leaves a significant vacuum in the state’s leadership and the NCP.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
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