Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, others killed in plane crash in Pune

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others were killed when the aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.

The Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) took off from Mumbai and was attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune’s Baramati area when it went off the runway and crashed around 8:45 am, bursting into flames, according to preliminary information from aviation and local officials.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all on board — Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant and the two pilots — died in the accident. There were no survivors.

Pawar, 66, was en route to Baramati for a series of public meetings ahead of local Zilla Parishad elections. Sources said the aircraft reportedly lost control during the landing approach amid challenging conditions near the runway.

The veteran politician, who served multiple terms as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and was a prominent leader in the state’s political landscape, leaves behind a significant void in regional leadership.

Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers, have expressed deep shock and grief over the tragedy, and the state government has announced mourning as investigations into the cause of the crash begin.

The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau are expected to conduct a full inquiry into the circumstances that led to the crash.