Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar was killed in a tragic aircraft crash near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on Wednesday morning. Five others, including crew members and security personnel travelling with him, also lost their lives in the accident, officials confirmed.
According to authorities, a private aircraft carrying Pawar attempted to land at the Baramati airstrip around 8.45 am when it reportedly developed a technical snag mid-air. The pilot tried to execute an emergency landing, but the aircraft crashed in an open field near the runway and burst into flames, leaving no chance of survival for those on board.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all six occupants of the aircraft were declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot, while locals gathered near the crash site as rescue operations were launched.
Pawar was travelling to his hometown Baramati, which is also his political stronghold, to attend a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles and beyond.
A seasoned political leader, Ajit Pawar played a key role in state politics for decades and held several important portfolios. His death marks a major loss to Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Leaders across party lines expressed deep grief over the incident, describing Pawar as an influential mass leader with a strong connect to the people. Messages of condolence poured in from across the country soon after the news broke.
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and sons Jay and Parth. Further details regarding the cause of the crash are awaited as aviation authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
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