Maharashtra was plunged into shock on Wednesday morning after Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash near Baramati airport. The chartered aircraft, flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crash-landed during an attempted emergency landing around 8:45 am. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), all five people on board, including crew members, lost their lives.
Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a series of public meetings and election-related programmes ahead of local body and Zilla Parishad polls. Visuals from the site showed a massive blaze, thick smoke, and aircraft debris scattered across the area.
Key Highlights on Ajit Pawar Plane Crash in Baramati
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died after a chartered aircraft crash-landed at Baramati airport
- The plane was flying from Mumbai to Baramati and attempted an emergency landing around 8:45 am
- DGCA confirmed that all five people on board, including crew, died in the crash
- The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45 operated by charter company VSR
- Ajit Pawar was travelling to attend election-related meetings and rallies in Baramati and Pune
- Visuals showed the aircraft reduced to ashes with flames and thick smoke at the crash site
What Happened During the Baramati Plane Crash
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when a chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar attempted to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. Reports stated that the plane was making an emergency landing when it crash-landed near the runway threshold. Eyewitnesses described hearing loud noises before the aircraft slid off the runway, followed by a massive explosion.
Footage from the scene showed mangled wreckage, fire engulfing the aircraft, and debris scattered across the area. Emergency response teams, police officials, and local villagers rushed to the spot soon after the crash. Ambulances were also seen reaching nearby hospitals as rescue operations began.
DGCA Confirmation and Aircraft Details
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that all passengers on board the aircraft were killed in the crash. According to DGCA’s occurrence report, the aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR, with registration VT-SSK.
The report stated that the aircraft crash-landed at Baramati airport and that five personnel, including crew members, were on board at the time of the incident. No survivors were reported. Authorities said further details regarding the cause of the crash would be shared after investigation.
Who Was On Board the Aircraft
As per information from officials and party sources, Ajit Pawar was travelling along with his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command and the first officer. Some reports also mentioned the presence of additional personnel, reflecting variations in early information shared during live updates.
A Pune Rural Police officer later ruled out the possibility of any survivors, confirming that everyone on board had succumbed to the crash.
Purpose of Ajit Pawar’s Travel to Baramati
Ajit Pawar had departed from Mumbai earlier in the morning and was en route to Baramati to attend multiple public meetings and election-related events. According to NCP sources, he was scheduled to address four rallies in connection with the ongoing Zilla Parishad and local body elections.
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Pawar had attended a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday, including a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, before beginning his journey.
Political Career and Legacy of Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures, with a career spanning more than four decades. He began his political journey in the early 1980s and rose through the ranks at the grassroots level. He achieved his first major electoral success in 1991 when he won the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.
Over the years, Pawar served as Deputy Chief Minister multiple times under different Chief Ministers. He was regarded as the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a non-consecutive manner, having held the position during the tenures of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
In 2019 and later in 2023, Pawar played a key role in political realignments that led to splits within the Nationalist Congress Party. In February 2024, the Election Commission awarded the party name and symbol to the faction led by Ajit Pawar.
Reactions From Political Leaders and Family Movement
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the crash, according to state government sources.
Several political leaders expressed shock and grief over Pawar’s death. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the incident as painful and heart-rending, extending condolences to Pawar’s family and the people of Baramati.
Members of the Pawar family, including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar, were in Delhi for the Parliament Budget session and later began travelling to Maharashtra following news of the crash.
Visuals and On-Ground Situation After the Crash
First visuals from the crash site showed flames rising from the wreckage and thick smoke visible from a distance. The aircraft was reported to have been completely shattered, with most parts burned beyond recognition. Locals were among the first to reach the site and assist emergency responders.
Authorities secured the area as rescue and recovery operations continued. Further updates on the investigation and technical findings are awaited.
Spiritual Reflection: Understanding Life, Death and Karma Through the Unique Knowledge of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj
Sudden tragedies like the Baramati plane crash raise deep questions about the uncertainty of human life. According to the unique spiritual knowledge of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, human life is temporary and governed by the law of karma, where birth and death occur as per pre-determined actions of the past. His teachings emphasize that material power, position, or authority cannot protect a soul from the inevitability of death.Â
Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that true peace is attained only through correct spiritual knowledge, devotion to the Supreme God, and understanding the purpose of human birth. Such incidents remind society to reflect beyond worldly achievements and seek lasting spiritual awareness.
A Sudden Loss That Shook Maharashtra Politics
The death of Ajit Pawar in the Baramati plane crash has left a significant void in Maharashtra’s political landscape. A seasoned leader with deep roots in the state’s politics, Pawar was actively engaged in public life until his final hours, attending meetings and planning election campaigns.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, Maharashtra mourns the loss of its Deputy Chief Minister and a leader who played a defining role in shaping the state’s contemporary political history.
FAQs on Ajit Pawar Plane Crash in Baramati
1. How did Ajit Pawar die in Baramati?
Ajit Pawar died after a chartered aircraft crash-landed during an attempted emergency landing at Baramati airport while flying from Mumbai.
2. How many people died in the Ajit Pawar plane crash?
According to DGCA, five people, including Ajit Pawar and crew members, died in the Baramati plane crash.
3. What type of aircraft was involved in the Baramati crash?
The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai and operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR.
4. Why was Ajit Pawar travelling to Baramati?
Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend four public meetings and election-related rallies for Zilla Parishad and local body polls.
5. Has the cause of the Ajit Pawar plane crash been confirmed?
No, the exact cause of the plane crash has not been confirmed yet. Authorities said further details will be released after investigation.
