A private aircraft used by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar crashed during landing at Baramati on Wednesday morning, killing six people. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation, while relief and rescue operations are underway under the supervision of the local administration.
According to officials, the aircraft was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati when it crashed while attempting to land. The aircraft belonged to VSR company. Initial reports stated that six people were on board at the time of the incident. The DGCA confirmed that six people died in the crash.
Pune Rural Police officials said Ajit Pawar sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken for immediate medical treatment, but he later died due to the severity of his injuries. Senior police officers were deployed at the site soon after the incident, and rescue operations were prioritised.
Authorities said details regarding the exact number of people on board and the identities of those present are being verified. Initial reports indicated that Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar were scheduled to travel separately from Delhi to Baramati.
The DGCA said a technical team has been dispatched to the crash site to determine the cause of the accident. The Pune Rural administration said relief and rescue operations were given the highest priority, with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police personnel and local authorities.
Following the crash, security was increased in Baramati and surrounding areas. Road access near the site was restricted, and emergency services were placed on alert.
Ajit Pawar was serving as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and was a senior leader of the NCP. Leaders from various political parties expressed condolences over the deaths, and messages of sympathy were conveyed to the families of those killed.
