Maharashtra, January 28:
In a massive shock to the nation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on Wednesday morning after their chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land in the Baramati area of Pune district.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 AM when the aircraft, a private Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK), veered off the runway and erupted into flames.
The Details of the Crash
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local police, the flight originated from Mumbai and was headed to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to address multiple public rallies ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft appear “unstable” during its final descent. Upon touching the ground, the plane reportedly skidded, hit the side of the runway, and exploded. Emergency services and local residents rushed to the site, but the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts nearly impossible.
“The aircraft was engulfed in flames within seconds. By the time the fire was brought under control, it was clear there were no survivors,” a local airport official stated.
The DGCA has confirmed that there were five people on board, and tragically, all have perished. The victims include: Ajit Pawar, Personal Security Officer (PSO), Personal Attendant, Pilot-in-Command and First Officer.
Nation Mourns a Political Stalwart
The news has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum. Ajit Pawar, a seven-time MLA from Baramati and a six-term Deputy CM, was a dominant force in Maharashtra politics for over three decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), remembering Pawar as a “mass leader with deep grassroots connections.” Opposition leaders and allies alike have expressed their condolences to the Pawar family, including his wife Sunetra Pawar, and sons Parth and Jay Pawar.
