Varanasi Airport Firing: Licensed Pistol Goes Off During Security Check, Two Screeners Injured
Varanasi airport firing during a security screening on Sunday morning left two airport screening personnel injured after a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
The incident took place at around 9:30 am when the passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai from Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, arrived at the airport with his wife to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai.
According to officials, Rai had declared a licensed 7.62 mm pistol and 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter as required under the prescribed procedure. He was subsequently escorted to the designated area for mandatory screening of the firearm.
During the inspection, the weapon suddenly discharged a round. The projectile reportedly ricocheted before hitting two AAICLAS screening personnel, identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari.
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Injured screeners recall how the pistol fired
The two injured personnel later described the tense moments during the screening.
Rohit Raj said the passenger initially removed the magazine from the pistol while the weapon was being checked. According to Raj, the firearm was still loaded, and the passenger subsequently pressed the trigger, causing the shot to be fired.
Raj suffered an injury and swelling around the thumb or little-finger side of his left hand and was taken to the New Lakshmi Trauma Centre for treatment.
Another screener, Suman Kumari, said the passenger had indicated that the weapon was unloaded and pressed the trigger while demonstrating it to the staff. The resulting shot struck her in both legs, including the thigh area.
Both personnel were shifted to the trauma centre following the incident. Officials said they were receiving medical treatment.
How the accidental firing happened
A preliminary police inquiry indicated that the pistol’s magazine came out while officials were recording the firearm’s details and the number of rounds during the screening process.
However, a round reportedly remained inside the chamber. The weapon discharged when the trigger was accidentally pressed.
The incident is now being examined to establish precisely how the firearm was handled and whether all prescribed procedures for transporting and screening licensed weapons were followed.
Passenger detained, case registered
Police detained Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai following the incident. A case was registered against him at Phulpur police station under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with rash or negligent acts endangering human life or the personal safety of others.
Senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Pindra), reached the airport after receiving information about the firing.
Police teams inspected the area and gathered information from the personnel present during the screening. Further legal proceedings are underway.
Civil Aviation Ministry orders examination of procedures
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the firearm discharged while it was being handled and inspected during the mandatory security process. The ministry confirmed that two screening personnel were injured after the projectile ricocheted.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether established procedures for handling and carrying licensed firearms at airports were properly followed.
Officials said further action would be determined after the findings of the inquiry are available.
Airport operations remain unaffected
Despite the firing, the situation was brought under control quickly and normal airport operations continued.
Airport director Puneet Gupta said the passenger was travelling to Mumbai with his wife and had declared the weapon before the screening process. He confirmed that the accidental discharge occurred while the firearm was being inspected and resulted in injuries to two AAICLAS screeners.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict firearm-handling procedures at airports, particularly when licensed weapons are being transported by passengers. The ongoing investigation is expected to establish whether the discharge resulted solely from accidental handling or whether any prescribed safety protocol was not followed.
Authorities are expected to take further action based on the police and BCAS findings.
