Tragedy in Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and 4 Others Killed in Plane Crash

New Delhi, january 28, 2026: In a shocking development that has sent ripples through the Indian political landscape, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning after his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Baramati.

The accident occurred at approximately 8:45 AM as the veteran leader was traveling from Mumbai to his home turf for a series of scheduled public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.

Details of the Accident

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR, reportedly encountered technical difficulties during its final approach to the Baramati airport. According to airport manager Shivaji Taware, the plane veered off the runway and burst into flames upon impact.

Emergency response teams and local residents rushed to the crash site, but the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts difficult. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an initial occurrence report confirming that all five individuals on board—including Ajit Pawar, his security personnel, and the flight crew—perished in the crash.

Those confirmed deceased in the tragedy include:

• Ajit Pawar (66): Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• Personal Security Officer (PSO): Assigned to the Deputy CM’s detail.
• Flight Attendant: A member of the onboard service staff.
• Pilot-in-Command (PIC): The lead captain of the flight.
• First Officer (FO): The co-pilot.

A Massive Political Void

Ajit Pawar was a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, known for his administrative acumen and deep-rooted influence in the cooperative sector. The nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit had recently navigated the party through a significant split, leading his faction into the Eknath Shinde-led government.

His death marks the end of an era for Baramati, a region he transformed into a model of developmental infrastructure. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar—a Rajya Sabha MP—and two sons, Parth and Jay Pawar.

Investigation and Next Steps

The DGCA has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash. Preliminary assessments are focusing on whether the accident was due to a technical malfunction, engine failure, or environmental factors during the landing phase.

Authorities have cordoned off the Baramati airport as investigators begin the process of recovering the flight data recorder (the “black box”). State mourning is expected to be announced shortly, and political leaders across the spectrum have expressed their deepest condolences to the Pawar family.