Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was identified after the Baramati plane crash through his wristwatch, as his face was not recognisable due to severe fire damage, according to locals and officials. The aircraft caught fire immediately after impact, making visual identification impossible. First responders and residents at the site noticed the wristwatch and clothing, which helped confirm his identity before formal procedures. The crash claimed the lives of five people onboard and has deeply shocked Baramati and the state. Authorities later conducted post-mortem and forensic identification, while the AAIB continues its investigation into the cause of the accident. (PC: HT)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s last rites began on Thursday in Baramati, his political stronghold, following his death in a plane crash near Baramati airport on January 28, 2026 that also killed four others. His mortal remains were taken to Vidya Pratisthan ground, where thousands gathered to pay respects before the funeral at 11 am, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, state ministers, MLAs and supporters. A three-day state mourning has been declared. Post-mortems for the crew were conducted, and an AAIB investigation is underway into the crash. (PC: X)

Senior political leader Sharad Pawar has described the plane crash that killed his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as a pure accident with no political motives, urging parties and public not to politicise the tragedy. Ajit Pawar, 66, died along with four others when the aircraft crashed near Baramati airport during landing. Some leaders, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, called for a Supreme Court‑monitored probe amid suggestions of foul play. Sharad Pawar appealed for restraint, stressing the loss to Maharashtra and dismissing conspiracy claims as baseless. (PC: India Today)

Before boarding the chartered flight carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to Baramati, flight attendant Pinky Mali made a final phone call to her father, Shivkumar Mali, saying: “Papa, I am flying to Baramati with Ajit Pawar… we’ll talk tomorrow” as she planned to continue to Nanded afterward — a call that tragically became her last. Pinky, a resident of Worli in Mumbai, had accompanied Pawar on several recent trips. After the Learjet 45 crashed near Baramati airport, killing all five on board including Pawar, her father expressed deep grief and said he only wishes to receive her body to perform her last rites with dignity. (PC: HT)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar died when his chartered plane crashed while landing at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing him and four others. His unexpected death leaves a leadership vacuum in the Ajit Pawar‑led NCP faction, raising questions about who will take charge. Options include his wife Sunetra Pawar or senior leaders such as Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, though all face challenges. There is also speculation about possible reunification with Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction under cousin Supriya Sule amid political jockeying for control. (PC: NDTV)

New CCTV footage reveals the Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar descending steeply and crashing near Baramati Airport, then erupting into a massive fireball on Wednesday morning. The aircraft, on a charter from Mumbai, was attempting a second emergency landing when it nosedived and burst into flames, killing all five on board including two pilots and Pawar’s security personnel. The video captures the final moments before impact, with thick black smoke and debris. Preliminary reports suggest poor visibility could be a factor; authorities are investigating the crash’s cause.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's Learjet 45 was cleared for landing at 8:43 AM but crashed a minute later at 8:44 AM, killing all five aboard. The civil aviation ministry revealed the pilot initially reported "runway not in sight" during the first approach, prompting a go-around. After reporting visibility moments later, the aircraft received landing clearance without readback confirmation before flames appeared at runway 11's threshold. Baramati operates as an "uncontrolled airfield" with flying school-managed ATC. Delhi-based operator VSR Ventures took down its website post-crash. The experienced pilots had 15,000 and 1,500 flying hours respectively. AAIB has assumed investigation responsibility. 

Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu revealed poor visibility at Baramati airport when Ajit Pawar's plane crashed Wednesday morning. The pilot initially reported runway not in sight, prompting a go-around, but confirmed visibility during the second attempt before the tragic crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will analyze flight recorders, aircraft systems, crew records, and ATC data. Opposition leaders, led by Mamata Banerjee, demand Supreme Court-monitored probe, alleging compromised agencies. The VSR Ventures flight departed Mumbai at 8:10 AM, disappearing from radar at 8:45 AM. Witnesses described the aircraft appearing unstable before crash-landing with massive explosions. Maharashtra declared three days mourning; last rites scheduled Thursday with full state honors.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft was cleared to land at Baramati airport at 8:43 am on January 28, 2026, just a minute before it crashed in flames, killing all five on board, the civil aviation ministry said. The Bombardier Learjet 45 had initially attempted a landing but went around after reporting the runway wasn’t in sight. On the second approach, ATC granted landing clearance but did not receive the required readback from the pilots; moments later flames were spotted near runway 11. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has taken over the probe. (PC: HT)

Details of the last phone call made by flight attendant Pinky Mali have emerged after the plane crash near Baramati that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Pinky told her father she was flying with Pawar to Baramati and would speak to him the next day. The call never came. The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crashed while attempting to land near Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The plane had five people on board, including two pilots and a security officer. It departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and lost radar contact minutes before the crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. (PC: NDTV)