Maharashtra Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar died on January 28, after the aircraft he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati.
The plane had five on board, and there are no survivors, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed in a statement. The central agency shared their full statement on the crash. Follow latest updates on Ajit Pawar death news
DGCA statement on Ajit Pawar plane crash
The DGCA in its statement said “Aircraft crash landed at Baramati. Sh. Ajit Pawar, Dy. CM, Maharashtra was onboard along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendent) and 2 crew (PIC+FO) members. As per initial information, no person on board has survived the crash.”
Pawar was flying in a Learjet 45, and the operator was noted as VSR. The aircraft number was VT-SSK, the DGCA shared. The five on board included crew members, the agency added.
The late deputy CM was headed to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the incident took place. Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware shared details of the crash with Hindustan Times, saying, “The aircraft VT SSK was attempting a landing, and the aircraft went off the side of the runway and crashed.”
Pune Superintendent of Police Sandeep Gill said, “We have so far taken six bodies to hospital. When the plane crashed, we recovered three bodies first.”
The Baramati airport was operated by a private operator and was only recently handed over to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
Condolences pour in for Ajit Pawar
Dr K Sudhakar of BJP offered condolences, writing on X “Extremely shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar ji in a plane crash.”
“My heartfelt condolences to the Pawar family, his supporters and the people of Maharashtra. Om Shanti,” he added.