A private aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, crashed under tragic circumstances on January 28th in the Baramati region of western India. Aviation authorities confirmed the politician was traveling with four other individuals—two additional personnel and two crew members—aboard the ill-fated flight.
According to an official statement released by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), preliminary assessments indicate no survivors from the catastrophic incident. The aircraft was reported to have been completely engulfed in flames upon impact in Pune district, with emergency response teams immediately deploying to the scene.
Rescue operations continue intensively as firefighting crews work to extinguish the remaining blaze at the crash site. The DGCA has initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident, though adverse weather conditions or technical malfunctions remain speculative at this early stage.
The incident has sent shockwaves through India’s political establishment, particularly in Maharashtra state where Pawar served as a prominent political figure and key government official. The veteran politician held significant influence in regional politics and was actively involved in state governance matters at the time of the tragedy.
Aviation safety experts emphasize that this accident represents one of the most serious incidents involving high-ranking Indian officials in recent years. The international community has begun expressing condolences while awaiting further developments in the investigation.