"Political Leaders Unite in Grief Over Tragic Death of Ajit Pawar in Baramati Plane Crash"

Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Four Others

A tragic incident struck Baramati on Wednesday morning as a plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with four others, crashed, resulting in the loss of all lives aboard the aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that Pawar was accompanied by two persoel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (Pilot in Command and First Officer). The ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft was operated by VSR Aviation.

The aircraft was in the process of landing at Baramati airport when the crash occurred, according to sources. The eyewitness, who owns a shop near the airport, recounted the harrowing scene, stating that the plane was making unusual noises during landing. Subsequently, the aircraft attempted to land but veered off the runway, leading to a devastating explosion. Rescuers retrieved the bodies of four to five individuals from the wreckage.

Pawar was en route from Mumbai to Pune to attend campaign rallies for the ongoing Zilla Parishad elections when the tragedy struck. The elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra are slated for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 7.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock and sorrow over Pawar's untimely demise, praising the late leader's dedication to serving the people of Maharashtra. Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav also conveyed his deep sorrow over the loss, while Union Minister Giriraj Singh described Pawar's passing as an irreparable loss.

In other news, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule has been revealed, with teams gearing up for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, India will face South Africa, while the India A team is set to play against USA and Namibia. Australia, England, and New Zealand have opted out of warm-up matches due to their engagements in other series.