A tragic aviation accident has claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others after the private aircraft they were travelling in crashed in western India on Wednesday.
The mid‑size Learjet 45 jet was travelling from Mumbai — India’s financial capital — to Baramati, Pawar’s hometown in Maharashtra state, where he was scheduled to attend election‑related engagements. Officials say the aircraft crash‑landed in an open field near Baramati and burst into flames on impact. There were no survivors among the five people on board.
Among the deceased were two crew members and two of Pawar’s staff, according to aviation authorities. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and a formal investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been launched.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was a prominent political figure in Maharashtra, serving as the state’s deputy chief minister and an influential leader in regional politics. He was part of the ruling coalition aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, and had significant support in the state’s rural areas.
News of the crash has prompted an outpouring of grief across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Pawar’s sudden death, praising his commitment to public service and leadership. Maharashtra state has also announced a period of official mourning in response to the tragedy.
Rescue and emergency teams were on the scene shortly after the crash, but were unable to save any of the passengers due to the severity of the impact and ensuing fire. Eyewitnesses described the wreckage as engulfed in flames, making rescue efforts extremely challenging.
As the nation grapples with the loss of a senior leader, aviation authorities continue to gather evidence and data to determine the circumstances that led to this devastating crash.
