Breaking News: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Baramati Plane Crash

Mumbai | Maharashtra — In a tragic development this morning, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has passed away. The 66-year-old leader was among six people who lost their lives when their chartered plane crashed during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport.

The Incident: What Happened?

The chartered Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK), operated by VSR, departed from Mumbai early this morning. At approximately 8:45 AM, while attempting to land at Baramati Airport, the aircraft reportedly skidded off the runway and burst into flames.

Location: Baramati Airport, Pune District.

Time of Accident: 8:45 AM, January 28, 2026.

Casualties: 6 people confirmed dead (Ajit Pawar, his personal assistant, security personnel, and the flight crew).

Immediate Cause: The plane caught fire instantly upon impact, with eyewitnesses reporting multiple explosions.

Eyewitness Reports

Local residents who rushed to the site described a harrowing scene. One eyewitness stated:

“I saw it with my own eyes… There was a big explosion as soon as the plane fell. We ran toward the place, but the aircraft had become a ball of fire. There were 4 to 5 more explosions. The fire was so intense we could not do anything.”

Political Impact & Family

Ajit Pawar was traveling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Maharashtra Panchayat elections. His sudden demise leaves a massive void in the state’s political landscape.

Family Reaction: Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, who were in Delhi for the Parliament session, are currently rushing to Baramati.

Legacy: A 7-time MLA from Baramati, Ajit Pawar was a powerhouse in Maharashtra politics, serving as Deputy CM multiple times and recently leading his faction of the NCP to official recognition by the Election Commission.

Official Investigation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a high-level probe into the crash. Initial reports suggest the plane struggled during the landing phase, but a detailed technical analysis of the “Black Box” will be required to determine the exact cause of the failure.