New Delhi:
Two security officials were injured after a passenger accidentally discharged his licensed pistol during a security screening at the Varanasi International Airport on Sunday, officials said.
The incident happened at around 9:30 AM when an Air India Express Passenger named Kamlesh Rai traveling to Mumbai on flight IX-1810 arrived at the airport with his wife. It is learnt that Rai had declared the licensed weapon for carriage on the flight. The declared weapon was a 7.62 mm pistol with 21 live cartridges.
Rai was then escorted to the designated screening area for completion of the mandatory security formalities. According to officials, during the handling and inspection of the weapon, a round was ‘accidentally’ discharged.
The projectile ricocheted and caused injuries to two screening personnel, Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, officials said. The injured personnel were shifted to New Lakshmi Trauma Center, Varanasi, for treatment where their condition is said to be stable.
Confirming the incident, Varanasi Airport Director Puneet Gupta said, ‘Today, 16.08.2026, at about 0930 hrs, a passenger travelling with his wife on flight IX-1810 to Mumbai declared weapons on board the flight. During the weapons check, the passenger fired a round, injuring two AAICLAS screeners. Both were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment. Local police have been informed, and an investigation is underway.”
The local police were informed immediately and the passenger has been detained for investigation. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is also investigating the incident.
A statement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is examining the circumstances leading to the incident, including adherence to the prescribed procedures for handling and carriage of licensed weapons at airports. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
The incident is a setback for the airport which was chosen to be the first under Indian Civil Aviation’s ambitious Hub and Spoke Model of air travel. Travelers from Varanasi can complete international check-in, customs, immigration, and baggage drop locally before catching an Air India connecting flight to a major hub like Delhi for global destinations.
This model, which aims to cut travel time for tier 2 & 3 cities passengers traveling internationally, was launched in June this year at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.
