Who were with Ajit Pawar on the ill-fated flight? Here's all we know

A chartered plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport, killing everyone on board.

Pawar died in the tragic accident along with the two pilots, one attendant, and one security officer. Visuals from the crash site showed scattered debris, with thick smoke and flames rising from the wreckage.

Who were with Ajit Pawar on the aircraft?

Along with the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that one Personal Security Officer (PSO), and one attendant were onboard. Two pilots were flying the aircraft. All of them have been confirmed to have died in the crash.

Attendant Pinki Mali, PSO Sumit Kapoor, Captain Sahil Madan, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC), and First Officer (FO) Shambhavi Pathak have been confirmed dead, Live Mint reported.

Also Read | ‘A leader of the people’: From PM Modi to Rahul Gandhi- leaders across parties mourn Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s death

DGCA said that all five people on board died from injuries suffered in the crash at Baramati airport, Live Mint reported. It added that this was based on initial information.

Visuals from the spot showed the aircraft gutted by fire after the crash-landing. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 said the plane was trying to land for a second time at Baramati airport when it went down.

The Baramati plane crash

News of the incident broke while Pawar was on his way to Baramati for a series of public programmes. A day earlier, he had attended a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai.

After the crash was reported, his cousin and Baramati MP Supriya Sule left Delhi for Maharashtra, where she had been attending the Parliament’s Budget session. Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, and his son, Parth Pawar, have also left for Baramati.

Also Read | 'I saw it with my eyes, there were 4-5 explosions', eyewitnesses recall 'painful' details of Ajit Pawar's plane crash

Condolences are pouring in from across the political spectrum after the passing away of the Maharashtra Deputy CM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, "Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, "Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss."