The pilot of the aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar spoke to Air Traffic Control about a visible runway shortly before the plane crashed near Baramati on Wednesday, officials said. No distress call or SOS was issued. The aircraft was scheduled to land around 8.50 am while approaching the Baramati airport, where ATC services were managed by a private aviation school that day. Officials said the pilot may have attempted a go-around, a standard aviation procedure. The aircraft went down moments later and caught fire. All five people on board, including Pawar, died in the crash. Investigators are examining weather and visibility conditions. (PC: X)

The aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar flew for about 35 minutes before crashing near Baramati, flight tracking data showed. The Learjet 45 took off from Mumbai airport around 8:10 am and disappeared from radar shortly before landing. Officials said all five people on board were killed, including Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two pilots. The jet was operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Aviation. Data showed the aircraft made a loop to align with the runway before the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the details. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the cause of the accident. (PC: The Indian Express, X)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday, officials said. Four others on board were also killed in the accident. Initial reports said the plane lost control during landing and caught fire after impact. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft was making a second approach to the runway when it went down. The Learjet 45 was carrying Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Pawar had left Mumbai earlier in the morning and was scheduled to attend political events in Baramati. Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash. (PC: NDTV)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday morning. Minutes before the accident, a post was shared from his X account at 8:57 am. The post paid tribute to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary. The message praised his role in India’s freedom struggle and his lifelong service to the nation. The aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport, killing all five people on board, officials said. Visuals showed the plane destroyed in a field near the runway. An investigation has been ordered to find the cause of the crash. (PC: HT)

A chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while landing at Baramati around 8:45 AM Wednesday. The DGCA confirmed six people were killed in the crash, including Pawar, who was traveling to attend a public rally scheduled for 11 AM ahead of Zila Parishad elections. Videos from the crash site show the completely damaged aircraft engulfed in flames with first responders present. The plane reportedly crashed into a field during landing. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately. Initial reports indicated four to six passengers sustained serious injuries, but authorities later confirmed no survivors. Official statements are expected as investigations continue.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft carrying him crashed during an emergency landing attempt at Baramati airport on Wednesday, officials said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that five people on board, including Pawar, were killed. Visuals from the crash site showed the plane completely destroyed, with debris scattered across a field and thick smoke rising. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a scheduled event when the incident occurred. Local residents rushed to the site soon after the crash and helped emergency teams. Authorities have started an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. 

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed profound grief over Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's death in the Baramati plane crash, stating he is "deeply shocked and pained" by the tragedy. Singh praised Pawar's lifelong commitment to Maharashtra's development and prosperity, highlighting his compassion for people and unwavering dedication to public service. The defence minister extended heartfelt condolences to Pawar's family, well-wishers, and admirers. The 66-year-old NCP leader died when his chartered Learjet crashed during landing at Baramati airport, killing all six aboard including security personnel and crew. Political leaders across India have mourned the loss of the prominent politician.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died Wednesday morning when his chartered aircraft crashed during landing at Baramati airport. The DGCA confirmed all six people aboard including Pawar, security personnel, personal assistant, pilot, and co-pilot were killed in the 8:45 AM crash. The 66-year-old NCP leader was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati to campaign for Zilla Parishad polls and attend four public rallies. The Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) slid off the runway threshold and exploded upon impact. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noise before the massive explosion. The Pawar family, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, were in Delhi attending Parliament's budget session and immediately departed for Baramati. (PC: HT)

The Maharashtra government has approved a new metro line linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision on Tuesday. The metro will be 35 km long, with a 9 km underground stretch. It will have 20 stations and connect with other metro routes. The project cost is estimated at ₹22,862 crore. It will be built under a public-private partnership model. The state and centre will fund 40 per cent of the cost. The metro will reduce travel time between the two airports and improve connectivity for passengers and workers. (PC: ANI)

Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two cousins missing since January 22 in the Bharmour area of Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district. The teenagers were caught in heavy snowfall while heading toward the Bharmani Mata Temple. A pet dog was found alive beside the body of 13-year-old Piyush Kumar after nearly four days in sub-zero conditions. The dog belonged to the other victim, 19-year-old Viksit Rana. “The pet was keeping watch near Piyush’s body,” said Bharmour MLA Janak Raj. Search efforts were delayed by bad weather and terrain. The bodies and the dog were airlifted on Monday.