Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live Updates: Devendra Fadnavis Announces Three-Day State Mourning

The government declared three days of state mourning across Maharashtra as a mark of respect to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash. As per the government’s instructions, state mourning will be observed from Jan 28 to Jan 30, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is flown regularly, the department said in an official communication.

There will be no official entertainment during the mourning period, it said.

The department further declared that all state government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed on account of the demise of the deputy chief minister.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to Ajit Pawar on social media. In a post on X, Tendulkar wrote, "Very sad to learn about the untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar ji. Maharashtra has lost a dedicated leader who worked for the people, across the state.  
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team to reach Baramati crash site for further investigation. Ajit Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others landed near Baramati.
 

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash and said the country has lost one of its great sons.

"The news about Pawar's death is heartbreaking. He was a great son of Maharashtra who sincerely tried to change the destiny of the state. His passing away in the plane crash left me deeply saddened," Abdullah told reporters in Jammu.

He said the contribution of the deceased politician will never be forgotten and "today, India has lost one of its great sons."

"No one has power over the will of Allah. He was on his way to Pune for election preparations, but fate did not favour him. His death is not only an irreparable loss to the entire Pawar family but for the entire nation," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
 

Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Babasahib Patil, NCP leader Vikram Kale tearfully mourn the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

1. Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat said everyone had great respect for Ajit Pawar, who had the ability to face difficult situations. Pawar's death was shocking for him and the entire state, he added.
2. State OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save said Pawar's death has created a vacuum in the state, as it has lost a leader who took efforts for its development.
3. NCP leader and former state minister Dhananjay Munde said that Ajit Pawar was his pillar of support and never let him feel the absence of his father. 
4. NCP's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district president and MLC Satish Chavan said that he has lost his "god". "I never felt that such a time would come. He (Pawar) brought me into politics. I have lost my god," he told reporters.
5. Former Leader of Opposition in the state legislative council, Ambadas Danve, in a post on X said, "Pawar was a leader who stood tall through four decades of relentless hard work and slipped away in a single moment." He always kept his word, had an excellent grip on the administration and was deeply connected to the grassroots. This loss is not just of the Pawar family, but of Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader added.
6. Another Sena (UBT) leader and former MP, Chandrakant Khaire said, "I was a minister and he was an MLA earlier between 1995 and 1999. Later, he was in power for a long time but always cooperated with the people from Opposition parties whenever needed," 
7. Former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel said that with Pawar's demise, the state has lost an efficient administrator who was known for his decision-making ability.

Read more tributes HERE.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter0, President, Yuva Sena (Shiv Sena) Aditya Thackeray wrote, "Ajit dada's news is truly shocking! Words fail me. I had the opportunity to work with dada for 5–6 years... first in the government and then for a few days in the opposition. His commanding grip on legislative affairs and his affectionate nature won over many like me. Even when I was in the opposition, I had publicly said this many times. Today's news is truly shocking. My humble tribute to Ajit dada and his colleagues in the accident." [sic]

The following visuals from the crash location are sensitive, and can be triggering to viewers. Please watch at your own discretion.

Watch HERE

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday, saying it was an irreparable loss for the state. In an X post, Gupta said the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar in an unfortunate plane crash, was painful and shocking. "His demise is an irreparable loss for Indian politics, especially Maharashtra," the Delhi chief minister said.

She extended her deep condolences to the bereaved family members and supporters of Pawar, praying, "May the almighty grant the departed soul a place in his feet and give strength to the grieving family to bear the immense sorrow."

Huge crowd gathers outside Baramati hospital as mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar were brought here. Watch Video:

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a three-day state mourning.

He said, "Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra's development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family. I, along with Eknath Shinde ji, will go to Baramati today. I have informed the PM and HM about the incident, and they have expressed sadness over it."

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on social media platform wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. Just a month ago, we stood together in Baramati for the inauguration of the Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in AI - a moment that reflected Ajit ji's vision, his belief in progress and his commitment to Bharat’s youth and her future. May we honour his legacy by continuing the work he championed to build a future-ready Maharashtra."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state. I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother." Shinde said Pawar had a pure mind and was a very straightforward, fearless leader, with a grip on administration.

He recalled how Pawar, as the then finance minister, made fiscal arrangements when his government (in 2024) decided to roll out the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women in the state.

"We (Shinde, Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis) worked as a team," Shinde said.
 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday described the death of his fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as sad and unfortunate and said the aircraft accident that claimed his life will be probed.

Speaking to reporters, Shinde lauded the contribution of Pawar, who served as his colleague in different cabinets and was also his deputy when he helmed the government from 2022 to 2024. "It is a very painful incident...very sad and unfortunate for Maharashtra. The aircraft accident will be probed," he said.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, along with his wife, Pratibha Pawar, leaves for Baramati from their Mumbai residence, Silver Oaks. Watch video:

Today, the news of the loss of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar ji in a tragic accident has left my heart deeply distressed. The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words. Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me.

I express my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Maharashtra Police has said a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the plane crash to determine its exact cause. Investigators will closely examine and photograph the debris at the crash site to assess the aircraft’s speed and angle of impact, news agency IANS reported.

The black box will be analysed to check the aircraft’s technical condition and airworthiness at the time of the flight. Authorities will also scrutinise all pre-flight maintenance records.

The cockpit voice recorder will be reviewed to understand the pilots’ last conversations and decisions, while official communications between the pilots and Air Traffic Control will be examined. Weather conditions, runway status, and wind direction will also be taken into account during the probe.

A woman eyewitness said she noticed the aircraft in the morning as it circled the Baramati airport. "It took a round in the air, appeared a bit unstable and as it was approaching the runway to land, it hit the ground hard and exploded. There was a loud sound and could be heard at our home," the woman told a news channel. She said several parts of the aircraft were hurled into the air after the explosion and fell near her house. "The plane tilted before coming down. We saw the explosion and it was frightening," she said.

Another eyewitness also said the aircraft appeared to be losing control as it descended. "The way the plane was coming down, we felt it was going to crash. It was around 100 feet above the runway. As we rushed towards it, we saw flames, followed by four to five consecutive blasts, which prevented us from going anywhere near the aircraft," he told reporters. "It was a major fire. We later learned that Pawar was on the aircraft. It was shocking for us," he added.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, in a post on social media X wrote, "Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Shri Ajit Pawar in the plane crash in Baramati earlier today. My sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and all those affected by this loss. May his contributions to public life be remembered, and may the bereaved find strength in this difficult time."
 

The ill-fated aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar appeared "a bit unstable in the air" and exploded the moment it crashed on the ground near Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, according to a woman eyewitness.

Another person who witnessed the incident said that after the crash, the aircraft burst into flames, followed by four to five consecutive blasts.

Flightradar24's post tracks the fatal crash of Learjet 45XR VT-SSK near Baramati Airport, carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others from Mumbai, ending abruptly at 2600 feet during a second approach.

Second Accident In Three Years For VSR Aviation, Operator Of Ajit Pawar's Private Jet. Read full story HERE.

The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday observed a brief silence to pay tribute to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who died in an aircrash in Pune in the morning. Besides Pawar, five others in the aircraft also died in the crash.

After the question hour ended, Speaker A N Shamseer informed the House about Pawar's death and asked everyone to observe a brief silence. The crash occurred when the plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was landing in Pune's Baramati area.

In a post on X, Minister of Defence of India, Rajnath Singh posted, "Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers."

In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu wrote, "The news of the death of several people, including Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is extremely tragic. The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss. He will always be remembered for his special contribution to the development of Maharashtra, especially in the cooperative sector. I express my deep condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers. May God grant strength to the families of all others who lost their lives in this accident to bear this blow." [sic]

In a post on X, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted, "Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji's all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation."

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted, "Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief."

Ajit Pawar, Vijay Rupani To Sanjay Gandhi: Indian Politicians That Have Died In Helicopter, Aircraft Crashes

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There were five passengers -- Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar onboard along with two more personnel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (pilot in-command and the first officer) -- on board the Learjet 45 aircraft when the accident happened.

On Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's death in a charter plane crash in Baramati, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant says," I always did what he said. He was a bold man. He had a big role in the development of the Baramati region. I express my condolences to the entire Pawar family."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both contacted Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadanvis and received information and updates about the Baramati plane crash: Maharashtra Government

Maharashtra Congress leader and ex minister Dr Nitin Raut has expressed deep shock and expressed apprehension about it being a sabotage. He has demanded investigation in the incident. He has also cautioned against the rampant use of helicopters and small aeroplanes by political leaders seeking to cover more areas in a day.

Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's plane in flames after it crashed during landing, at Baramati in Pune district, Maharashtra on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Pawar, along with three others on board, was killed in the crash. (Photo: PTI)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passes away: Read full story here

Fire was seen at the sight where Ajit Pawar's plane crashed in Baramati.

Ajit Pawar was supposed to go to Baramati to attend four rallies, reports NDTV.

Local sources told NDTV that four-five people were on board in the aircraft that crashed in Baramati