Breaking News: How Ajit Pawar Plane Crashed Today
In a deeply tragic and developing story unfolding on January 28, 2026, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has died after the chartered aircraft carrying him crashed near Baramati in the Pune district of western India. Senior government sources and initial official reports confirm that Pawar and four others on board were killed when the jet plunged during its landing attempt and burst into flames on impact.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Indian political life and prompted an outpouring of condolences from leaders across party lines. At the same time, investigations are underway to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the catastrophic loss of life.
The Accident: What Happened
The crash occurred in the early morning hours as Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati, his hometown in western Maharashtra, where he was scheduled to speak at a series of public rallies related to the upcoming Zilla Parishad (district council) elections.
According to preliminary information from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and early official briefings, the aircraft — a **chartered Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures — was attempting to land at Baramati Airport at around 8:45 a.m. local time when it encountered difficulty.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the aircraft as going off the side of the runway during landing, collapsing and bursting into flames immediately upon impact. Some reports suggest multiple small explosions were heard as the jet was engulfed in fire.
Emergency services, including local firefighters and rescue teams, rushed to the crash site, but by the time they reached the wreckage, the aircraft was already fully involved in fire. Debris was scattered across the airfield, and there were no survivors among those aboard.
Casualties and On-Board Personnel
According to initial official accounts disseminated by the DGCA and corroborated by multiple news agencies, five people were on board the ill-fated Learjet. These included:
- Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
- His personal security officer
- A personal attendant
- Two crew members — the pilot-in-command and the first officer
All five on board are understood to have died in the crash, with no survivors reported.
At the site, local responders worked to extinguish the blaze and recover remains. The bodies were subsequently transported to a hospital facility in Baramati for formal identification and post-mortem procedures.
Who Was Ajit Pawar?
Ajit Anantrao Pawar, 66, was one of Maharashtra’s most prominent and enduring political figures. He served as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister on multiple occasions, with a political career spanning more than four decades. Pawar had held significant portfolios, including finance, planning, and excise, and was widely respected for his administrative experience and influence in state politics.
Pawar was a key leader within the NCP and had played a central role in shaping alliances and governance coalitions within Maharashtra. In recent years, he led his faction of the NCP in a strategic realignment, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party–led government in the state while maintaining his stature as a senior leader with deep grassroots connections.
His sudden death comes as an unexpected blow to his party and to Maharashtra’s leadership at a time when local elections and governance priorities were front and centre.
Political and National Reactions
The news of Pawar’s death sparked immediate reactions from political leaders across India.
President Droupadi Murmu described his passing as an “irreparable loss” to the nation and expressed deep condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the crash and conveyed his sorrow, praising Pawar as a “leader of the people” who served with commitment and dedication.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered condolences and emphasized the collective grief felt by the government, while other senior figures, including Union Minister Piyush Goyal and members of various parties, lauded Pawar’s political career and commitment to public service.
Leaders from opposition parties, including Congress and regional allies, expressed shock and sadness, with many remembering Pawar’s decades-long public service and political contributions.
Immediate Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Baramati Airport was temporarily closed to other flights as rescue and recovery operations continued. The DGCA has dispatched officials to the crash site as part of the formal inquiry into the cause of the accident. Emergency response teams, forensic investigators, and aviation safety experts are expected to examine flight data recorders and other evidence in the coming days.
At this stage, investigators are examining multiple possible factors, including aircraft technical issues, landing approach conditions, weather, and runway factors. A full report will likely take weeks to complete, with preliminary findings expected sooner.
A Nation Mourns
The sudden and violent nature of the crash has left Maharashtra and much of India in shock. Tributes have poured in from political leaders, civil society figures, and citizens alike. Social media platforms are flooded with condolences, memories of Pawar’s public service, and heartfelt tributes to a leader whose presence was integral to the political fabric of Maharashtra.
As the state prepares to mourn one of its longest-serving leaders, attention will also turn to the official investigations and the implications this tragic loss will have on the political landscape in Maharashtra.
