Shock as Ajit Pawar, four others die tragically
Tragedy struck as Pawar’s aircraft crashed while landing in Pune’s Baramati area, leaving the region stunned and grieving.
Mumbai was shaken by tragedy on Wednesday as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed in a devastating aircraft crash in Pune district, officials confirmed. The incident has sent shockwaves through the state’s political circles and left citizens grappling with disbelief and grief.
According to officials, the aircraft carrying the 66-year-old Nationalist Congress Party leader went down while attempting to land in Pune’s Baramati area. What was expected to be a routine landing turned catastrophic within moments, ending lives and triggering a massive emergency response on the ground. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be officially established, and authorities have begun preliminary inquiries to determine what went wrong during the final moments of the flight.
Visuals from the crash site paint a grim picture. The mangled wreckage of the aircraft lay engulfed in flames, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Amid the chaos, local residents rushed to the spot, driven by instinct and concern, trying to help in every way possible. Some were seen attempting to pull survivors away from the wreckage, while others worked alongside emergency responders to clear space for ambulances and rescue vehicles.
Eyewitnesses said the crash drew villagers and passersby within minutes. “We heard a loud sound and then saw fire,” said a local resident, describing the panic and confusion that followed. Despite the danger posed by the flames and debris, many locals did not hesitate to step forward, offering water, helping carry the injured, and guiding police and relief teams to the site.
Rescue and relief operations are currently underway, with police, fire services, and medical teams working in coordination. Ambulances were deployed rapidly to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, though officials said the exact number of people on board the aircraft has not yet been confirmed. Authorities have urged people to stay away from the site to allow rescue operations to proceed unhindered.
The loss of Ajit Pawar marks a deeply emotional moment for Maharashtra. A seasoned political leader, Pawar had played a significant role in the state’s politics for decades, known for his influence, administrative experience, and strong base in western Maharashtra. News of his death prompted an outpouring of condolences from across party lines, with leaders, supporters, and ordinary citizens expressing shock and sorrow.
“This is an irreparable loss,” said a senior political leader, reflecting the mood across the state. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes, memories, and messages of disbelief as people struggled to come to terms with the suddenness of the tragedy.
The incident has also revived concerns over aviation safety, particularly in the region. This crash comes after several aviation-related scares involving the leader in recent years. In October 2024, a helicopter intended to pick up his party colleague Sunil Tatkare crashed in Pune, raising alarms about operational risks. There have also been earlier instances of emergency landings in and around the region, often attributed to bad weather and challenging flying conditions.
Aviation experts say a thorough investigation will be crucial to understand whether technical failure, weather conditions, or human error played a role in Wednesday’s crash. Officials are expected to secure flight data and conduct a detailed forensic examination of the wreckage once rescue operations conclude.
For now, the focus remains on relief efforts and supporting the families of those who lost their lives. The scenes unfolding in Baramati — of flames, sirens, and strangers helping strangers — underscore both the horror of the moment and the quiet humanity that emerges in times of crisis.
As Maharashtra mourns, questions linger about safety, accountability, and how such a tragedy could occur. But above all, the state is united in grief, remembering lives lost far too suddenly, and a leader whose journey ended in an instant that no one saw coming.