India’s Maharashtra Deputy CM among 5 killed in plane crash

Indian state of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar was killed after his aircraft crashed during an emergency landing attempt at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. Two pilots and Pawar’s two security personnel also died in the crash.

Ajit Pawar was en route to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai, went down.

The entire aircraft was reduced to ashes, with visuals showing it completely shattered and debris scattered across the area. Initial footage showed a massive blaze and smoke rising from the crash site in Baramati.

Ajit Pawar, son of Sharad Pawar's elder brother Anantrao, had a career trajectory similar to that of his uncle, rising through a strong influence in Maharashtra's cooperative sector.

Source: India Today