Plane crashes in India, killing Maharashtra deputy chief minister and 4 others

Veteran Indian politician Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on Wednesday near Baramati, his political constituency. The Bombardier Learjet 45 crashed as it prepared to land, killing all five people on board, including Pawar's security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Pawar was traveling from Mumbai to campaign for upcoming local elections. Indian officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred after the plane aborted one landing attempt. Pawar, 66, had served as deputy chief minister six times and was part of the state's governing coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.

A private plane crashed in western India on Wednesday, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The aircraft, a mid-size Learjet 45, was traveling from Mumbai to Pawar's home city of Baramati when it crashed approximately 254 kilometers from Mumbai and caught fire. Pawar, 66, was en route to campaign in a local election. The directorate general of civil aviation confirmed that two of Pawar's staff members and two crew members also died in the crash. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

A plane crash in Baramati, India, on January 28, 2026, killed Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that the plane, a Learjet 45, crashed upon landing at the airport in Pawar's constituency after taking off from Mumbai. In addition to Pawar, two members of his staff and two crew members were also killed. The aircraft, operated by VSR, was reportedly attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when the crash occurred around 8:45 am local time. Pawar, a prominent politician and nephew of Sharad Pawar, was en route to a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state in India, died in a plane crash near Baramati. The crash occurred when the plane, en route from Mumbai, crash-landed in a field at the airport. All five people on board, including two of Pawar's staff and two crew members, were killed. Pawar was traveling to his home region ahead of local elections. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Pawar, 66, was a prominent and influential leader in Maharashtra, governing in coalition with the BJP. His death has prompted widespread শোক and tributes from politicians across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Modi. Maharashtra will observe three days of state mourning.