A licensed firearm accidentally discharged during security screening at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning, injuring two screening personnel.The incident took place at around 9:30 AM when a passenger travelling with his wife was preparing to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai. The passenger had declared the firearm for carriage as required under the prescribed procedure.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the passenger was carrying a 7.62 mm licensed pistol and 21 live cartridges. He was escorted to a designated screening area where the weapon was being handled and inspected as part of the mandatory security formalities.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
A licensed pistol accidentally discharged at Varanasi airport during weapon screening. The incident occurred at around 9:30 AM on August 16.
The passenger was travelling to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX-1810. The firearm had been declared before the security procedure.
Two AAICLAS screening personnel were injured. Both injured personnel were shifted to hospital for treatment. The passenger was detained by authorities.
BCAS is investigating the circumstances of the discharge. An FIR has been registered in the case.
Airport operations continued normally after the incident.
During the inspection, one round was accidentally discharged. The projectile ricocheted and injured two screening personnel identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, according to the ministry.
Police said one of the injured personnel suffered an injury to the thumb, while the female screening staff member was injured in the leg. Both were taken to a private medical facility for treatment. Their condition was reported to be out of danger. The passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai of Azamgarh, was detained following the incident. Local police reached the airport and began collecting information as part of the investigation.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is examining the circumstances surrounding the discharge, including whether prescribed procedures for the handling and carriage of licensed firearms at airports were followed.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The incident puts airport firearm-handling procedures under scrutiny. While the weapon had reportedly been declared, the accidental discharge during inspection raises questions about how firearms and ammunition are handled inside designated airport screening areas.
Despite the incident, officials said airport operations continued without disruption. The Air India Express flight involved was able to depart, with flight-tracking data indicating a limited delay.
An FIR has also been registered in connection with the incident, while further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation.
