Two security personnel at Varanasi airport were injured after a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged during a mandatory firearm inspection on Sunday morning.
The incident took place around 9.30 am during the security screening of a passenger identified as Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Azamgarh district. Rai was travelling with his wife on Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai and had declared the licensed firearm before boarding, as required under aviation security procedures.
According to officials, the firearm discharged while personnel from AAICLAS (Airport Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited) were inspecting it.
A female security personnel was hit in the leg, while another person standing nearby sustained an injury to the thumb, officials said.
The injured personnel were rushed to the nearby New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
The Varanasi airport director confirmed the incident and said local police and aviation security officials have launched a joint investigation.
Senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Pindra), along with other police personnel, reached the airport following the incident.
