Two individuals sustained injuries at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning when a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged during the security screening process. The incident occurred as the passenger was declaring his firearm for carriage on the aircraft, leading to an unintended firing of a round.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai from Azamgarh district, was scheduled to travel to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX 1810. As per standard procedure, he declared his licensed 7.62 mm pistol and 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter. Following the declaration, he was escorted to the designated screening area to complete the mandatory security formalities.
Airport officials stated that during the inspection of the weapon, a round was inadvertently fired. The projectile reportedly ricocheted, striking two cargo screeners employed by AAICLAS (AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited). A woman security personnel was hit on the leg, and another individual nearby sustained an injury to their thumb. Both injured personnel were promptly attended to and transported to New Laxmi Trauma Centre in Varanasi for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the incident, providing details on the sequence of events. Airport director Puneet Gupta stated that the passenger had declared the weapon intended for carriage on the aircraft. The accidental discharge occurred during the weapon’s inspection, leading to the injuries of the two screeners. The local police were immediately informed, and an investigation into the matter has been initiated.
The passenger, Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, has been detained by authorities for further questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is also scrutinizing the circumstances that led to the incident, including an assessment of adherence to the prescribed procedures for handling and carrying licensed weapons at airports. The ministry indicated that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of these examinations.
Despite the security lapse, airport operations at Varanasi continued without any significant disruption. Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Pindra), visited the site to oversee the initial response and gather necessary details. The police have stated that a site inspection is being conducted and that appropriate legal action is being pursued in accordance with the findings.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges and sensitivities surrounding the carriage of firearms by passengers, even when declared and intended for transport under established regulations. The procedures for declaring and screening weapons are designed to ensure safety, but the accidental discharge underscores the critical need for meticulous handling and stringent adherence to protocols by all parties involved, including passengers and security personnel.
The Chenab Times News Desk