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Remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's plane that crashed during landing, near Baramati in Pune district, Maharashtra, Wednesday, January 28. PTI

Today's news LIVE: Jan 28 | Ajit Pawar killed in plane crash; AAIB to probe

The incident occurred when Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's plane was landing in Pune's Baramati area, officials said


Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning (January 28), officials said.

The incident occurred when Pawar's plane was landing in Pune's Baramati area, they said.

Here is the top, trending news of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, including Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.

Read updates below.

Live Updates

  • 28 Jan 2026 2:19 PM IST

    Mamata demands SC-monitored probe into Ajit Pawar's death in plane crash

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the death of Ajit Pawar in a place crash, alleging that “all other agencies” have been “completely compromised”.

    Stressing that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms, Banerjee said only a probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court would be credible. “We trust only the Supreme Court. All other agencies have been completely compromised,” she told reporters here before leaving for Singur in Hooghly district.

    Banerjee also hinted that Ajit Pawar was planning to return to the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by his uncle Sharad Pawar NCP (SP), noting that reports circulating in recent days had pointed to such a move. “I was truly shocked to see the news (of Ajit Pawar’s death) this morning. It shows that there is no safety or security in this country, even for political leaders,” the CM said. “Even those who are a part of the ruling establishment today do not seem to be safe,” she added.

  • 28 Jan 2026 2:14 PM IST

    President Murmu: Economic foundation has grown significantly, citizens' income increased

    President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday (January 28) said the country's economic foundation has grown significantly stronger over the past 11 years, and government policies have resulted in higher incomes for citizens.

    In her address to both Houses of Parliament, the President said that the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union will give impetus to India's manufacturing and service sectors and create new employment opportunities for the country's youth.

    She said India has further improved its record in keeping inflation under control. "It is directly benefiting the poor and middle-class families of the country. As a result of the policies of my government, the income of citizens has increased, their savings have grown, and their purchasing power has also improved," the President said.

    Murmu also said her government is moving forward on the 'Reforms Express' path. Old rules and provisions are continually updated to meet future needs.

    Everyone has witnessed how the historic next-generation reform in GST has filled citizens with enthusiasm, she said, adding that the reform has ensured savings of Rs 1 lakh crore for citizens.

    The Income Tax law has also been revamped. A historic decision has been taken to exempt income of up to 12 lakh rupees from taxation. These reforms are providing unprecedented benefits to poor and middle-class families. It has also given the country's economy a new impetus.

  • 28 Jan 2026 2:11 PM IST

    ICC T20I rankings: Suryakumar jumps five spots to 7th

    India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Wednesday (January 28) climbed five places to seventh in the ICC men's T20I rankings following a prolific run in the ongoing five-match home series against New Zealand, which India currently lead 3-0.

    The former No.1 batter struck scores of 32, 82 not out and 57 not out to climb the table, as India dominate the upper reaches of the rankings with Abhishek Sharma at the summit and Tilak Varma in third position, just 10 days out from the T20 World Cup.

    Ishan Kishan, who hit 76 off 32 balls in the second match in Raipur has re-entered the rankings in the 64th position while Shivam Dubey (up nine places to 58th) and Rinku Singh (up 13 places to 68th) are among other batters to gain from the top-ranked T20I side.

    In the T20I bowling rankings, Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman's haul of four for 21 in the second match against the West Indies sees him gain five places and reach ninth position, while India's Jasprit Bumrah (up four places to 13th) and Ravi Bishnoi (up 13 places to 19th) have progressed along with South Africa's Corbin Bosch (up eight places to a career-best 32nd).

    India's Hardik Pandya has surged 18 places to 59th position in the bowling rankings after taking four wickets in three matches. He is also up two places to 53rd among batters and inched up one slot to third among all-rounders.

  • 28 Jan 2026 2:05 PM IST

    Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance at Minneapolis town hall

    A man sprayed an unknown substance on Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar and was tackled to the ground on Tuesday during a town hall in Minneapolis, where tensions over federal immigration enforcement have come to a head after agents fatally shot an intensive care nurse and a mother of three this month.

    The audience cheered as the man was pinned down and his arms were tied behind his back. In the video of the incident, someone in the crowd can be heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.” Just before that, Omar had called for the abolishment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment. Calls are mounting on Capitol Hill for Noem to step down after the shooting deaths in Minneapolis of two people who protested deportations. Few Republicans have risen to her defence.

    “ICE cannot be reformed,” Omar said, seconds before the attack.

    Minneapolis police said officers saw the man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at Omar. They immediately arrested him and booked him at the county jail for third-degree assault, spokesperson Trevor Folke said. Forensic scientists responded to the scene.

    Police identified the man as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak.

  • 28 Jan 2026 1:53 PM IST

    Ajit Pawar obituary: A perpetual CM-in-waiting, a leader Maharashtra loved to fear

    Maharashtra on Wednesday (January 28) morning plunged into shock and profound grief with the death of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in his pocket borough of Baramati in the state's Pune district. He was 66. For many, he would perhaps remain the best chief minister Maharashtra had never had.

    It was only a day before the tragedy that Pawar had attended a cabinet meeting and was seen to be in a joyous mood, having reconciled himself to his party's drubbing in the recently concluded urban local body elections in the state.

    Read the full story here.

  • 28 Jan 2026 1:26 PM IST

    Budget session of Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

    The Budget session of Parliament began today (January 28), with a joint address by the President.

    The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till 11 am on Thursday (January 29)

  • 28 Jan 2026 1:16 PM IST

    Ajit Pawar’s death: Maharashtra govt announces 3-day state mourning

    The government on Wednesday declared three days of state mourning across Maharashtra as a mark of respect to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash, officials said.

    A message circulated by the protocol section of the General Administration Department said Pawar passed away on the morning of January 28.

    As per the government’s instructions, state mourning will be observed from January 28 to January 30, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is flown regularly, the department said in an official communication.

    There will be no official entertainment during the mourning period, it said.

    The department further declared that all state government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed on Wednesday on account of the demise of the deputy chief minister.

    The message, issued under the signature of Under Secretary H P Baviskar, directed all authorities concerned to take necessary action immediately and ensure strict compliance with the instructions.

  • 28 Jan 2026 12:43 PM IST

    Silver futures hit record Rs 3.83 lakh/kg; gold at fresh peak of Rs 1.62 lakh/10g

    Silver prices extended their record-breaking run on Wednesday (January 28), soaring more than 7 per cent, to hit a lifetime high of Rs 3.83 lakh per kg in the futures trade, while gold jumped to a new peak of Rs 1.62 lakh per 10 grams, buoyed by a sharp fall in US dollar and strong safe-haven demand.

    Rallying for the fourth consecutive day, silver futures for March delivery climbed Rs 26,821, or 7.53 per cent, to hit another record of Rs 3,83,100 per kilogram on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).

    In the last three sessions, the white metal has surged Rs 55,811, or 17.05 per cent, from Rs 3,27,289 per kilogram (closing price) recorded on January 22.

    Gold futures for February contract also witnessed robust buying by the investors, rising Rs 4,730, or 3 per cent, to touch a fresh peak of Rs 1,62,429 per 10 grams on the MCX.

    Analysts said bullion prices extended their upward march amid a weakening US dollar, renewed geopolitical tensions and firm investor appetite for the safe-haven assets.

  • 28 Jan 2026 12:42 PM IST

    Sunny Deol’s 'Border 2' has crossed the ₹200-crore mark at domestic box office in five days

    Border 2, the war drama, a sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border, earned ₹23.31 crore on day five, taking its total net collection to ₹216.79 crore, according to the makers. Released on January 23, the film is backed by T-Series and J P Films.

    After a strong long weekend, the film showed impressive hold on its first working day. It opened at ₹32.10 crore, followed by ₹40.59 crore on day two, ₹57.20 crore on day three, and ₹63.59 crore on day four, signalling robust audience traction nationwide.

    Starring Sunny Deol alongside Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, Border 2 is set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The film reportedly did not secure a theatrical release in six Gulf countries over concerns about its alleged anti-Pakistan narrative; the makers are yet to respond.

  • 28 Jan 2026 12:38 PM IST

    Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to probe Ajit Pawar's plane crash

    The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe the plane crash at Baramati airport that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday (January 28).

    The Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at the airport. There were five people onboard, including the crew members, according to the aviation regulator DGCA.

    A senior official told PTI that the AAIB will be visiting the crash site to investigate the accident.

    AAIB is responsible for classifying safety occurrences involving aircraft operating in Indian airspace as accidents, serious incidents, or incidents. It carries out detailed investigations into accidents and also suggests measures to improve safety.

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