The nation is in shock following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a devastating plane crash that has plunged his stronghold of Baramati into deep mourning. The impact was so intense that rescuers were unable to identify those on board through traditional means, relying instead on personal effects found at the site.
Reportedly, it was the wristwatch in Pawar's hand that helped the locals identify his body. "His face was not recognisable. We saw his wristwatch on his hand...his clothes also helped identify him," said the local resident.
The aircraft with five members onboard, including Nationalist Congress Party's Pawar, crashed on Wednesday while attempting to land at the Baramati airstrip. The plane caught fire immediately on touchdown and was completely gutted, making it hard for the first responders to identify the bodies.
Remnants of the aircraft and bodies were found by the locals who witnessed the crash.
NCP leader Mitkari said that it was quite unfortunate that "Ajit Dada had to be identified by his wristwatch, which is also our party symbol."
According to party officials, Pawar was travelling to attend a series of public meetings in Nirwagaj, Pandhare, Karanjepool, and Supa ahead of the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections.
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An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Police registered an accidental death report (ADR) case. The ADR will be handed over to the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which will conduct a probe based on the findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)'s inquiry.
AAIB has already taken over the probe of the crash involving the aircraft Learjet.
The others killed in the mishap were Captain Sumit Kapoor, who had a flying experience of 15,000 hours, and co-pilot Captian Shambhavi Pathak with 1,500 hours of flying, Personal Security Officer (PSO) Vidip Jadhav and flight attendant Pinky Mali.