Asserting that the government has zero tolerance for air safety issues, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday (January 29, 2026) said the investigation into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others would follow a time-bound approach.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Wings India 2026, he said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had arrived at the site, and the Black Box of the ill-fated aircraft had been recovered.

Pawar and four others on board a chartered aircraft were killed after it crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of a tabletop runway at Baramati airport in Pune district on Wednesday (January 28, 2026).

“The Black Box has been recovered, and the investigation is in process. This time, we will follow a strict timeline approach to ensure the report is completed expeditiously,” Mr. Naidu said.

Responding to a query about the absence of firefighting personnel during the incident, the Minister said the airstrip is used primarily by flying training organisations.

He added that all facilities required for a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) were in place and that the airstrip operates under a Non-Scheduled Operator’s Permit (NSOP), not for commercial aviation.

“When we license an NSOP strip to operate as a commercial airport, certain requirements must be met, which we ensure. But this facility has been used by NSOPs, particularly for flying training organisations,” he said.

Mr. Naidu added that India is considered one of the safest countries in terms of aviation safety protocols.

He said the Maharashtra government had written to the Centre regarding the investigation, and the Civil Aviation Ministry had responded, confirming that the probe was underway.

He also noted that Flight Time Limitations (FTL) are already being implemented.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped at least 12,000 litres of water to combat forest fires in the Lohit Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, operating at nearly 9,500 feet in the rarefied Himalayan air.

The IAF deployed Mi-17V5 helicopters for the operation, which involved challenging conditions at high altitude. In a post shared on X on Thursday (January 29, 2026), IAF wrote, “Battling forest fires at nearly 9,500 feet in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit Valley. IAF Mi-17V5 helicopters dropped 12,000 litres of water in the rarefied Himalayan air, showcasing exceptional courage, precision and a commitment towards protecting lives and fragile ecosystems.”

This comes amid a series of rapid response operations by the IAF. Earlier, in a separate event, the force swiftly deployed a team of Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel along with essential technical equipment from Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati Airport in Maharashtra on an urgent request from the State Government, Defence officials said on Wednesday (January 28).

The team promptly established emergency ATC services, including communication and other essential facilities, in coordination with the local administration to support safe and efficient air traffic management, they added.

In an X post, the IAF stated that a dedicated team of Air Warriors was deployed at the urgent request of civic authorities following a plane crash at Baramati Airport. The personnel are providing basic ATC and Meteorological services to ensure safe air operations.

“In response to the 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 safe air operations from the site. This rapid assistance underscores IAF’s commitment to national service in times of need,” the IAF wrote.

The Baramati deployment followed the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the crash landing of a charter plane in the district on Thursday (January 29) morning.