West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash and also mourned the people who allegedly lost their lives due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. Addressing a public meeting in Hooghly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister extended her sympathies to the bereaved families. "Firstly, I express my condolences to the family members of those who lost their lives due to the SIR. I also express my condolences to the family members of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar who died in a plane crash this morning," Mamata Banerjee said. The soil of Singur has always inspired me. My journey of struggle is deeply intertwined with this land, and I am truly moved by the warmth and affection with which the people of Singur embraced me today. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of… pic.twitter.com/3VL1qBrRFZ — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 28, 2026 During the address, the Chief Minister also spoke about development initiatives in Singur, highlighting the inauguration of multiple projects and alleging a lack of cooperation from the Central government. "Singur is a very significant place for me. I thank the people of Singur who always stand with me. 1694 projects are inaugurated today, whose cost value is approximately Rs 33,591 crores. The central government has not supported. Infact it has even stopped all funds...," she said. Earlier, on Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee alleged that Bengali-speaking people were facing harassment and were being targeted in several states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. She strongly criticised the Centre government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the issue, linking it to the ongoing SIR exercise and said, "If you hurt me, I will be very dangerous." Strongly objecting to the Prime Minister's recent remarks, Mamata Banerjee said, "One person (PM Modi) came and said that the government approves the Bangla language, but it's not true. Even Bengali people are getting hurt because they are speaking the Bangla language in other states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. If you hurt me, I will be very dangerous. In the name of SIR, you are making people suffer. Shame on you. Election Commission, it's not your work..." Additionally, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief also earlier hinted at possible foul play in the Baramati plane crash and demanded a Supreme Court probe into the incident. In a post on X, Mamata Banerjee said, "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 this morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar, and late Ajit's all friends and followers. The incident needs a proper investigation." Ajit Pawar, 66, was among five people who lost their lives in the crash. Investigations into the incident are currently underway. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 January,2026 09:39 AM IST | Hooghly (West Bengal) | ANIOne of the accused in the 2020 murder of a cousin of gangster Goldy Brar was shot dead by two unidentified assailants near the senior superintendent of police's office in Punjab's Mohali on Wednesday, police said. The Mohali police booked foreign-based gangster Goldy Brar in connection with the murder of Gurwinder Singh alias Lambbad, who had come to a court along with his wife for a hearing in an opium recovery case when the assailants fired several rounds at him, killing him on the spot, they said Gurwinder's wife said in her complaint that he had been receiving threats from Goldy Brar. Gurwinder was a resident of Rurki Pukhta village in Mohali's Sadar Kharar area. After attending the court hearing, when Gurwinder reached near his car along with his wife, an assailant, who was already present near the vehicle, fired multiple shots at him and fled from the spot. The police said the incident occurred at around 3 pm when Guwinder was opening the boot of his car parked on the road. Meanwhile, in an unverified post on social media, gangsters Goldy Brar, Rohit Godara and Vicky Pehlwan claimed responsibility for the killing of Gurwinder while citing his alleged involvement in the murder of Gurlal Singh Brar. Gurlal Singh Brar, the cousin of foreign-based gangster Goldy Brar, was shot dead in Chandigarh in 2020. An unverified audio clip doing the rounds on social media purportedly features Goldy Brar claiming responsibility for Gurwinder's murder and issuing threats in the wake of his parents' arrest. Addressing the state government, the speaker said, "If you have the courage, be fair and face things head-on. You and your agencies used your might but failed to catch me, and now you have arrested my elderly parents from Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple). Do you think you can scare us? We are not afraid." He warned that governments are temporary and officials in Punjab are confined to the state, but his network is global. "Governments come and go. The children of all leaders and police officers are settled abroad. You are limited to Punjab, but we are in the entire world. If you do anything unfair, then we will do the same," the speaker said. The parents of Goldy Brar were arrested recently in a 2024 extortion case. Earlier, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Rupnagar Range, Nanak Singh, said Gurwinder had come for a hearing in a 4 kg opium recovery case and was on bail in this matter. Singh said Gurwinder had a criminal background and had been named in the Gurlal Brar murder case. "This angle is also being examined," he said. An eyewitness to the fatal shooting said he initially thought a car tyre had burst. But then he saw a man, "wearing a cap and having a fair complexion", firing multiple rounds at a point-blank range. The assailant's other accomplice was waiting for him at some distance on a bike, said the eyewitness, who is an advocate by profession. "We are investigating the matter. We assure you that soon the assailants will be caught. We have leads, and we have information on who got it done. We are working on it," the DIG told reporters. "Multiple teams have been constituted for technical analysis, scientific investigation, and human intelligence to trace and arrest the accused at the earliest," DIG Singh said. The DIG informed that based on the statement of the deceased's wife, a case under Sections 103(1) (murder), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Sohana against Goldy Brar. The complainant said that Gurwinder had been receiving threats from Goldy Brar, as he was named as an accused in the murder case of Gurlal Brar. Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar was designated as a "terrorist" by India in 2024 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He is at present believed to be in the US. Earlier, he was an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. But he parted ways with the Bishnoi gang last year. He is now part of the Brar-Rohit Godara-Kala Jatheri gang. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 January,2026 09:35 AM IST | Chandigarh | PTIMaharashtra emerged as the big winner at the Republic Day Parade 2026, clinching the Best Tableau award for its presentation titled ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’. The results for the Best Marching Contingents and Best Tableaux were announced by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday. Maharashtra's tableau presented a blend of modernity and tradition, portraying the Ganesh festival as a symbol of self-reliance. Dressed in traditional attire, a troupe of women dancers performed Lezim, a folk dance, on either side of the tableau during the parade on the ceremonial boulevard. Indian Navy, Delhi Police win best marching contingent awards According to the official announcement, three separate panels of judges evaluated the performances of marching contingents and tableaux displayed at the parade held on Kartavya Path. Among the three armed services, the Indian Navy was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent, while the Delhi Police topped the category for Central Armed Police Forces and other auxiliary forces. J&K, Kerala follow Maharashtra in states’ tableaux category In the states and Union Territories category for tableaux, Maharashtra secured the top position, followed by Jammu and Kashmir for its tableau on handicrafts and folk dances of the region, and Kerala for its presentation highlighting the Water Metro project and 100 per cent digital literacy under the theme of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Ministry of Culture wins among central ministries; special prizes announced Among central ministries and departments, the Ministry of Culture won the Best Tableau award for its depiction titled ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’. Special prizes were also announced, with the Central Public Works Department being recognised for ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’, while the dance group ‘Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India’ was also honoured. Gujarat tops Popular Choice tableaux; Assam Regiment leads contingents The government additionally released the results of the Popular Choice category, based on an online poll conducted on the MyGov portal. In this category, the Assam Regiment was voted the best marching contingent among the three services, while the CRPF won among the CAPFs and auxiliary forces. For Popular Choice tableaux from states and Union Territories, Gujarat topped the list with its theme on Swadeshi, self-reliance and freedom, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
29 January,2026 09:17 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA Kerala court on Wednesday granted bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in the third sexual assault case against him, in which he was arrested earlier this month. The bail was granted by the Pathanamthitta District Sessions Court, which was considering an appeal filed by him against a judicial magistrate’s court that had denied him relief, stating that the allegations against him were serious. The third sexual assault case was registered against the Palakkad MLA following a complaint lodged by a woman from Kottayam district on 8 January. He was arrested in the case on January 11 in Palakkad. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 January,2026 06:49 AM IST | Pathanamthitta | AgenciesPolice late on Tuesday arrested the owner of the momo manufacturing unit and godown gutted in a devastating fire in South 24 Parganas district in which eight people were killed, a senior officer said. The owner, Gangadhar Das, was arrested from the Garia area of Kolkata and will be produced before a Baruipur court, police said. Earlier, an FIR was lodged against Das in connection with the fire that broke out late Sunday night at the factory and warehouse in Anandapur's Nazirabad area. The West Bengal government will give an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those killed in the blaze, said Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. The compensation will be handed over once the bodies or body parts are identified, Hakim said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 January,2026 06:46 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesThe mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar were brought to an educational institute in Baramati, Pune district, on Wednesday evening, as emotional scenes unfolded with party workers and local residents raising slogans in his memory. Slogans such as “Ajit dada amar rahe” and “Ajit dada parat ya” (long live Ajit dada, Ajit dada come back) echoed through the premises of Vidya Pratishthan, Pawar’s home turf, where people gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects, reported the PTI. Ajit Pawar, 66, and four others on board a chartered aircraft were killed after the plane crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of a tabletop runway at Baramati airport. The sudden death of the veteran leader, fondly known as Dada, has left a major void in the BJP-led coalition government in Maharashtra and raised questions over the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which he headed. After post-mortem formalities at a medical college in Baramati, Pawar’s mortal remains were brought to Vidya Pratishthan in a vehicle decked with flowers. People lining both sides of the road broke down as the procession passed, with many visibly overwhelmed by grief, according to the PTI. A large number of NCP workers and residents from Baramati and other parts of the state converged on the town, long associated with the politically influential Pawar family, to pay tribute to the late leader. VIDEO | Baramati: The mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar brought to Vidya Pratishthan; people gather to pay their last respects.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/CJx5zXNS1c — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 Last rites with full state honours The last rites of the NCP president will be performed at the Vidya Pratishthan grounds at 11 am on Thursday, with full state honours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leaders from across the political spectrum, and people from various walks of life are expected to attend the funeral. VIDEO | Baramati: Ajit Pawar's son Jay Pawar at Vidya Pratishthan. #AjitPawarPlaneCrash (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/0R4Yb4ozFH — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 ‘Every development bears his imprint’ Manoj Wagh, a local teacher, said the people of Baramati were still struggling to come to terms with Pawar’s sudden death. “Almost every development work in Baramati carries the imprint of Ajit dada,” he said. Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here Top leaders reach Pune Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday reached Baramati as Pune began to prepare for NCP chief Ajit Pawar's last rites. The leaders reached the site to offer their condolences to the family and party members, as well as to participate in the funeral rituals, officials said. They also met the family members of Ajit Pawar. In a post on X, the CMO wrote, "Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to offer their condolences. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present along with them. The leaders expressed their sympathy to the family following the tragic plane crash near Baramati that claimed Ajit Pawar’s life." राज्यपाल आचार्य देवव्रत यांच्यासह मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी स्वर्गीय अजित पवार यांच्या पत्नी खासदार सुनेत्रा पवार यांची भेट घेऊन त्यांचे सांत्वन केले. यावेळी उपमुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे हे देखील उपस्थित होते. pic.twitter.com/TWPf5bBaLs — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 28, 2026 Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in the Baramati plane crash has led to widespread grief across the state and the nation. Political leaders from the across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to Ajit Pawar. The state government has declared three days of state mourning, and flags are being flown at half-mast across Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis had earlier stated that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all the buildings in Maharashtra where the national flag is regularly hoisted. Funeral arrangements and public condolences The local administration has made arrangements for people to offer their condolences and participate in the final rites. Several leaders and party workers have also been seen offering prayers and paying their respects. Ajit Pawar to be cremated with state honours The last rites of Ajit Pawar, who was killed in the plane crash, will be held with full state honours on Thursday in Baramati, in Pune district, reported the PTI. The funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 a.m. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that leaders from across the political spectrum will attend, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to be present, the news agency reported. The crash occurred on Wednesday morning, shortly after Ajit Pawar and four others took off from Mumbai. In addition to Ajit Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, the aircraft pilot-in-command and the first officer. (with PTI inputs)
28 January,2026 10:10 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentUnion Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said a transparent and accountable probe would be carried out into the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar. Addressing the media, the minister said preliminary inputs indicated poor visibility during landing and outlined the sequence of events that led to the accident. "We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site at the time of landing around 8:48 am," he said, reported news agency ANI. #WATCH | Pune | On Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says," We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site… pic.twitter.com/qPs0k6hQH7 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Ajit Pawar death: Pilot initially reported runway was not visible, says Civil Aviation Minister The minister further stated, "Before landing, ATC (Air Traffic Control) asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, and he confirmed it was not. After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing. Then, the pilot confirmed visibility of the runway. After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred." Expressing grief over the loss, the Civil Aviation Minister said the incident was deeply saddening. "My heart is very heavy with sorrow. It is difficult to digest that Ajit Dada is not with us. I offer my condolences to the families of the other four persons who have died in this incident. Ajit Dada used to guide us a lot due to his experience in public service. This is an irreplaceable loss for Maharashtra. It is very difficult to find leaders like him," he said. Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning in Maharashtra's Baramati. According to DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am. The crash landing of the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati. Pawar was onboard along with two more personnel (a personal security officer and an attendant) as well as two crew members. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday on Wednesday and three days of mourning following Pawar's death. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. The last rites will be performed with full state honours, the Maharashtra General Administration Department (Protocol) informed on Wednesday. (With ANI inputs)
28 January,2026 09:30 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister of State (MoS) Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday expressed profound shock following Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar's death. Pawar, along with four others, died in a tragic plane crash at Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district. Mohol, while paying a heartfelt tribute to Pawar, calling his demise an irreparable loss to the state's political and social life, news agency PTI reported. Recalling his association with Pawar, Mohol said, "I'm truly at a loss for words right now. I worked with him for many years, and this is a profound shock. He was a popular leader from Maharashtra who had carved a unique identity for himself in the state's politics over the past four decades. He was known as a public representative with a strong grip on administration." "I remember working with him in this city for 2.5 years during the COVID crisis. He was the president of the state's Olympic association, and I served as the vice-president alongside him. And today, Dada is no longer with us—this is extremely painful. This is a great loss for the social and political life of Maharashtra," he added. Ajit Pawar death: Murlidhar Mohol praises deputy CM's administrative work Mohol further said that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief was among the few leaders who commanded respect across party lines. "The thought that Dada will never return to us is also very painful. There were only a few leaders in Maharashtra politics who ruled the hearts of workers across all parties, whose leadership was always guiding and inspiring—that was Dada. It was my great fortune to have received so much of his guidance and support," Mohol added. Expressing grief over Pawar’s untimely demise, Mohol said, "I cannot even imagine the politics and social life of this district and Maharashtra without Dada. This is a loss for society, a loss for Maharashtra. This is a major blow to the Pawar family, but it is equally a blow to the political workers of Maharashtra. I don't know what to say today. The politics of this district and Maharashtra will remain incomplete without Dada. I don't even have the courage to use a word like 'tribute' for him." Five dead, including Ajit Pawar in Baramati plane crash According to DGCA, five people, including the crew of the chartered plane flying from Mumbai to Baramati, died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am on Wednesday. The incident took place at the runway threshold in Baramati. Ajit Pawar death: CM announces state holiday As a mark of respect, CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday and three days of mourning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. (With inputs from PTI)
28 January,2026 09:21 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentHuge crowds of supporters and top leaders from Maharashtra arrived in Pune on Wednesday following the tragic death of deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. Pune was on Wednesday evening seen preparing for Ajit Pawar's funeral on Thursday. The city saw a steady flow of party workers and political leaders who gathered to pay their respects and offer condolences at party offices in state. A huge crowd also gathered at Vidya Pratishthan in Pune to pay their last respects to Ajit Pawar. Mourners, including party workers and supporters, lined the roads to pay respects to the departed leader. Floral tributes and wreaths were laid, and many people were seen breaking down in tears as they offered prayers. Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s politics, was being remembered for his long-standing public service, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembering him as a leader with grassroots connections. The state government has announced a period of mourning, with several leaders expected to attend the funeral proceedings later in the day. VIDEO | Baramati: A huge crowd gathered at Vidya Pratishthan to pay their last respects to Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who died in plane crash earlier today.#ajitpawarpassedaway (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/SCjQ1YuFSo — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 Ajit Pawar to be cremated with state honours The funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 a.m. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that leaders from across the political spectrum will attend, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to be present, the news agency reported. The crash occurred on Wednesday morning, shortly after Ajit Pawar and four others took off from Mumbai. In addition to Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, the pilot-in-command and the first officer. Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay. Top leaders meet family members of Ajit Pawar Several top leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Governor Acharya Devvrat, reached Pune to meet Ajit Pawar’s family and participate in the mourning. Leaders from various political parties also arrived to express their sympathies, reflecting the wide impact of the tragedy across the state. State mourns deputy CM The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning, and flags are being flown at half-mast across the state. A public holiday was announced on Wednesday. The last rites of Ajit Pawar are scheduled to be held with full state honours at Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district. Fadnavis, Shinde reach Pune Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday reached Baramati as Pune began to prepare for NCP chief Ajit Pawar's last rites. The leaders reached the site to offer their condolences to the family and party members, as well as to participate in the funeral rituals, officials said. They also met the family members of Ajit Pawar. In a post on X, the CMO wrote, "Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to offer their condolences. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present along with them. The leaders expressed their sympathy to the family following the tragic plane crash near Baramati that claimed Ajit Pawar’s life." The plane crash The Learjet 45, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The aircraft was carrying five people, including Ajit Pawar, his security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Teams from the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have arrived to probe the accident. Naidu said the investigation would be carried out transparently and more details would be released as they emerge.
28 January,2026 08:22 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentIn a swift response to an urgent request from civic authorities following the tragic aircraft crash at Baramati Airport, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a dedicated team of Air Warriors to assist in emergency operations at the site. The Indian Air Force while posting on social media platform X, said that the IAF team is providing essential basic Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Meteorological services to ensure the safety and coordination of air operations in and around the affected area. The IAF wrote, “ In response to civic authorities' urgent request after the tragic aircraft crash at Baramati Airport, the Indian Air Force has swiftly deployed a dedicated team of Air Warriors.” In response to civic authorities' urgent request after the tragic aircraft crash at Baramati Airport, the Indian Air Force has swiftly deployed a dedicated team of Air Warriors. They are providing essential basic Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Meteorological services to support… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2026 Indian Air Force also added that these critical services are supporting emergency response efforts, facilitating the movement of aircraft, and enabling smooth coordination between civil and security agencies involved in rescue, relief, and investigation activities. Hailing their contribution after a tragedy, the IAF also added, “This rapid assistance underscores IAF's commitment to national service in times of need.” This move by the Indian Air Force also underscores the force’s commitment to the nation by extending support beyond its core defence role and reinforcing its responsibility towards civilian safety. Tragic plane crash at Baramati killed 5 including Ajit Pawar This comes after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with four others lost their lives in Baraamtai. Ajit Pawar along with two pilots, one guard and a flight attendant took off from Mumbai at around 8:00 am in the morning before their chartered plane crashed. The aircraft, a Learjet operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, was carrying five people on board, including Pawar, two accompanying staff members and two crew members. All five occupants died in the crash, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). DGCA confirms names of all five victims Hours after the incident, those on board the ill-fated flight were Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, Pinki Mali, Sumit Kapoor and Sambhavi Pathak. The DGCA confirmed that no person survived the accident. “A Learjet aircraft carrying the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and four others crash-landed at Baramati airport. There were no survivors,” a senior DGCA official said, adding that a team of DGCA officials has been rushed to the crash site to investigate the incident.
28 January,2026 08:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s body will be cremated with state honors on Thursday, 29 January, at 11:00 am. Ajit Pawar, along with five others, died in a tragic plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday, January 28 at around 9:00 am. In view of paying heartfelt tribute to Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra government declared a three-day mourning period on Wednesday, reported IANS. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also said that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all the buildings in Maharashtra where the national flag is regularly hoisted. Also, no government entertainment programs should be organized during this period. It has been decided that all state government offices in the state will remain closed on Wednesday, as per IANS. PM Modi and Amit Shah to attend Ajit Pawar’s cremation ceremony As reported by IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be attending the cremation of the Deputy CM. Meanwhile, leaders across political parties expressed grief over his sudden demise. Maharashtra declares holiday for schools The Maharashtra government has also declared Wednesday, January 28, a holiday across all state government offices and schools following the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier in the day in Baramati, Pune district. Official circulars issued by the general administration department (GAD), the directorate of education, and the divisional deputy director of education, Mumbai, confirm a three-day state mourning period until Friday, January 30. The official circular mentioned, “Shri Ajit Anantrao Pawar, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, passed away today, the 28th of January, 2026… The Government of Maharashtra hereby declares the closing of all offices of the State Government throughout the state on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.” Ashish Shelar expresses grief over Ajit Pawar’s demise Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, “The news of the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajitdada Pawar, in an airplane crash is extremely painful and shocking.” The minister also added, “Through this heart-numbing, tragic incident, the state has lost an experienced, dutiful, and steadfast leader. His strong grip on the administration, decisiveness, and zeal for the all-round progress of Maharashtra have left a distinct mark on the state's politics. Steadfastness, discipline, punctuality, and unwavering diligence were the prominent facets of his personality.” (With inputs from IANS)
28 January,2026 07:27 PM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
