Tragedy in India: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash

On January 28, 2026, the state of Maharashtra and all of India woke up to heartbreaking news — Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a deadly plane crash along with four others, sending shockwaves throughout the nation and across political circles. What Happened? On Wednesday morning, a private chartered Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) carrying Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport in the Pune district of Maharashtra while attempting to land after flying from Mumbai. All five people on board — including Pawar, his security staff and the two pilots — were killed instantly when the jet burst into flames upon impact. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft engulfed in fire with multiple explosions, making rescue attempts impossible. Who Was Ajit Pawar? Ajit Pawar was not just Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister — he was one of the most influential political leaders in the state: A veteran politician with decades of public service Held the position of Deputy Chief Minister multiple times Leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Part of the ruling coalition with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party His sudden death has left a massive gap in Maharashtra’s political landscape. 🇮🇳 National Impact and Mourning The news triggered an outpouring of grief across India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and top national leaders expressed deep sorrow. The Government of Maharashtra declared three days of state mourning, closing schools and offices in respect. Crowds gathered outside Baramati as leaders and citizens paid tribute to Pawar’s legacy. Funeral and Tributes Ajit Pawar’s state funeral is scheduled for January 29, 2026, at Baramati’s Vidya Pratishthan ground, where political heavyweights including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend. The tragedy has united political rivals and allies alike, with heartfelt tributes from all sides of India’s political spectrum — showing how widely respected Pawar was as a leader.