Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash

MUMBA: Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning when the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport in Pune district.

The Bombardier Learjet 45, which had been chartered from Mumbai, came down during the landing attempt. Pawar lost his life in the impact, along with both pilots and two of his security personnel who were on board.

Pawar had been flying to Baramati to speak at a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections when the plane went down. The entire aircraft was destroyed, leaving charred wreckage strewn across the runway and thick smoke rising from the crash site.

Initial footage from the scene showed a massive blaze and debris scattered over a wide area, with emergency services rushing to contain the fire and begin search operations.

The sudden death of Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, has sent shockwaves through the state, with leaders and residents alike reacting to the tragedy. Investigations are under way to establish the precise cause of the accident, even as authorities work to recover the remains of those who perished.

A routine flight turned catastrophic within minutes, marking a tragic end to a campaign journey and a grim morning for Maharashtra.