Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday to assess the situation following the tragic plane crash near Baramati that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

According to Maharashtra government officials, Chief Minister Fadnavis briefed the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the circumstances of the accident and the latest developments at the crash site.

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, along with five others, was killed when the aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all six passengers on board the plane died in the incident.

The crash took place around 9 a.m., nearly an hour after the aircraft departed from Mumbai. Visuals from the scene showed thick smoke, flames, and the wreckage of the aircraft, as emergency vehicles rushed to the site. Local residents were also seen assisting rescue teams in relief efforts.

Soon after the incident, Pawar’s family members rushed to Baramati. His wife and NCP MP Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, along with his cousin and NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule, were scheduled to travel to Baramati from Delhi.

Ajit Pawar was on his way to attend a public meeting in Baramati amid the ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.

Emergency responders, senior security officials, and rescue teams reached the site shortly after the crash, which reportedly occurred after the aircraft lost control during the landing phase.

Three bodies were taken to Baramati Medical College, where the process of identification is underway, Pune Superintendent of Police confirmed. A DGCA investigation team has also arrived at the crash site to examine the cause of the accident.

Officials said further details are awaited. Reports indicated that locals rushed to the scene immediately after witnessing the aircraft go down.

The fatal incident follows earlier aviation-related scares linked to the leader. In October 2024, a helicopter meant to ferry NCP leader Sunil Tatkare crashed in Pune, while previous emergency landings in the region have also been reported due to adverse weather conditions.