India’s Maharashtra deputy chief minister killed in plane crash

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra state, was killed in a plane crash on Wednesday, according to media reports.

Al Jazeera, quoting India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), reported that the aircraft took off from the state capital, Mumbai, and crash-landed at the airport in Baramati, Pawar’s home constituency.

The report said that in addition to Pawar, two members of his office staff and two crew members also lost their lives in the accident.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been officially confirmed. The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Airlines, went down at approximately 8:45 a.m. local time.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics. As the second-highest elected official in the state, he played a key role in the ruling federal coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

hz/sa