Today’s morning everything changed in a flash. Around 8:45 AM today (January 28, 2026), the chartered Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) carrying Ajit Pawar crash-landed at Baramati Airport while coming in from Mumbai. He was heading there for some election rallies – Zilla Parishad stuff on February 5 – super routine trip, right? But on the second landing attempt (Flightradar24 tracked it), the plane went off the runway threshold, burst into flames, and there were multiple explosions. All five people on board gone – Ajit Pawar, his PSO, one attendant, and the pilots Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak. No chance for anyone.
Locals heard it, saw the smoke and fire, rushed but couldn’t get close – too intense.
DGCA said the plane first contacted the airport at 8:18 AM, then this happened on approach two. Baramati’s airstrip is basic, no advanced gear, so visibility issues or something – AAIB investigators are already there digging into it. Some chatter about the operator VSR Ventures having past issues, but right now everyone’s just grieving, not pointing fingers yet.
Ajit Dada was 66, the real deal in Maharashtra – longest-serving Deputy CM ever (six times!), started way back in the ’80s, MP in ’91 (gave up seat for uncle Sharad), that big 2019 split to join BJP side, then got the NCP name and symbol in 2024. He was all about getting things done for villages, infrastructure, no drama – people loved that straight-talk style. Baramati was his heart, his pocket borough.
The reactions are everywhere. PM Modi called it shocking, spoke to Sharad Pawar personally, said Ajitji was hardworking, connected to the ground, always for the poor. Amit Shah too, deeply pained. CM Devendra Fadnavis – who was close to him – announced three days state mourning (today through 30th), flags half-mast, no entertainment events, government holiday today. Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde went to meet Sunetra tai – she’s shattered, obviously.
Sons Parth and Jay there. Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule (who just put “Devastated” on WhatsApp), rushed over. Crowds at the hospital, then Vidya Pratishthan ground for public darshan of the remains. Tributes from Mamata, Akhilesh, Omar Abdullah, Mallikarjun Kharge – everyone feeling the loss. Even Goa CM Pramod Sawant called him a close friend.
State funeral with full honors tomorrow, Thursday January 29, at 11 AM in Baramati at Vidya Pratishthan ground. PM Modi and Amit Shah expected to come, big leaders too.
This hits different – Ajit Pawar was that solid link in so many ways, family, party, state. Politics here will feel his absence big time. Rest in peace, Dada. Thoughts with Sunetra tai, the boys, and the crew families – Pinky Mali’s last call home is breaking hearts even more.
Sources: NDTV, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Al Jazeera, BBC, India TV, ANI, PTI, Times Now, Flightradar24 – all live updates from today, January 28, 2026.
