Ajit Pawar, NCP chief and Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, died in a tragic plane crash this morning while he was flying from Mumbai to Baramati. Four others, including pilots and Pawar's security personnel, have also died in the crash. The small aircraft, which took off from Mumbai around 8.10 am, crashed near Baramati airport during a landing attempt half an hour later. According to reports, Pawar was to attend four important public meetings ahead of the local body polls next month.
Visuals from the spot show fire and smoke, mangled remains of the plane, and ambulances. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said all five passengers on board died in the crash.