Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati in Pune district, saying he served his state with distinction.

“It is with shock and deep sadness that I learnt about the untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar Ji. He was a widely respected leader committed to the well-being of the people and served Maharashtra with distinction,” Sinha said in a post on X, extending condolences to Pawar’s family and admirers.

Pawar, 66, was among five people killed when the private aircraft carrying them crashed on Wednesday morning while en route from Mumbai to Baramati, where he was scheduled to address rallies ahead of the February 5 zilla parishad elections.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also mourned Pawar’s death, describing him as an able administrator and a consummate political organiser whose loss would be deeply felt.

Recalling his long association with the Nationalist Congress Party leader, Omar said he had known Pawar since his college days in Mumbai, when he stayed with Sharad Pawar and his family.

“Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar Saab. Ajit da was an able administrator and a consummate political organiser whose loss will be greatly felt,” Omar said in a post on X.

He said he joined his father, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, in extending condolences to Sharad Pawar, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, and the bereaved family.

The aircraft reportedly attempted an emergency landing at Baramati Airfield before crashing.