Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has reportedly passed away in an aircraft incident in Baramati on Wednesday morning.
The NCP leader and four others onboard the aircraft died in the incident.
Initial reports claimed the aircraft made a crash-landing during its final approach, after experiencing technical trouble near the runway. Visuals circulating on social media showed wreckage at the site, with flames seen rising from the aircraft shortly after the impact.
According to early information, the incident led to the temporary suspension of airport operations in Baramati, causing disruptions and delays for both arriving and departing flights. Reports also suggested that Pawar was scheduled to attend multiple political events in Baramati later in the day.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA) also confirmed the incident, saying no person on board survived the crash. It said that the deputy chief minister was onboard along with two more personnel and two crew members. The plane was identified as a Learjet, a six- to eight-seater aircraft, with registration VT-SSK. As per available flight details, the jet reportedly took off from Mumbai at around 8:10 am, and Air Traffic Control was alerted about the situation at approximately 9:12 am.
Following the emergence of the news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have spoken with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Reports added that Fadnavis cancelled a planned rally in Konkan.
Authorities are expected to issue a formal briefing once rescue operations, verification of passengers, and assessment of casualties are completed.
