Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of India’s western state of Maharashtra, was killed on Wednesday when the charter aircraft carrying him crashed near Baramati, aviation authorities confirmed. The privately‑operated Bombardier Learjet 45 was flying from Mumbai to Pawar’s home region for local election campaigning when it crash‑landed close to the runway and burst into flames. 

All five people on board  including Pawar, two crew members and two of his staff  died in the accident, and there were no survivors.

Authorities from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft was attempting to land at Baramati Airport early on Wednesday morning when the incident occurred, scattering wreckage and sending billows of smoke rising from the crash site. Initial reports indicate the cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials yet to determine definitively whether weather, visibility or technical factors played a role.

 Pawar, 66, was a seasoned politician and a prominent figure in state governance, having served multiple terms as deputy chief minister and played an influential role in Maharashtra’s coalition politics.

News of Pawar’s death prompted shock and condolences from political leaders across India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the loss as “shocking and saddening” and praised Pawar’s service to the public. 

As the state mourns, officials from aviation authorities have said a formal investigation will be conducted to establish the sequence of events that led to the crash. The tragedy has sent ripples through Maharashtra’s political landscape while raising fresh questions about aviation safety for high‑profile officials traveling on private charters.