Five Killed as Aircraft Crash-Lands in Pune District
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a private aircraft crash-landed in Baramati, located in Pune district, Maharashtra, officials confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred while the aircraft was attempting to land. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), no one on board survived the crash.
Details of the Aircraft and Flight
The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45, operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR. The flight had departed from Mumbai at 8:10 am and disappeared from radar around 8:45 am, as per FlightRadar data.
Victims Identified
All passengers and crew members on board were declared dead. They include:
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Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
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Vidip Jadhav, close aide
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Pinky Mali, Personal Security Officer
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Capt. Sumit Kapur, pilot
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Shambhavi Pathak, co-pilot
Ajit Pawar Was Heading to Election Rally
Mr. Pawar was traveling to Baramati to attend an election rally for the upcoming Zila Parishad polls. Rescue teams and police personnel were immediately deployed to the crash site, and search operations were carried out to confirm casualties.
Political Legacy of Ajit Pawar
A Leader Who Reshaped Maharashtra Politics
Known fondly as “Dada” among supporters, Ajit Pawar was one of the most influential leaders in Maharashtra politics over the last four decades. He began his political journey in the 1980s, rising through grassroots leadership under the guidance of his uncle, Sharad Pawar.
He achieved his first major electoral victory in 1991, winning the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. Over the years, he served as Deputy Chief Minister five times, under different Chief Ministers.
Split in NCP and Alliance with BJP
In a defining moment of his career, Mr. Pawar broke away from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leadership to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that split the party and reshaped state politics.
He once stated his ambition clearly:
“I want to become Chief Minister one day and implement my own plans for public welfare.”
That dream, however, remained unfulfilled.
Family and State Mourning
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay Pawar.
Three-Day State Mourning Announced
The Government of Maharashtra has announced a three-day state mourning to honor the late leader. Flags will fly at half-mast, and official events have been postponed as a mark of respect.
