Gun Goes Off During Security Screening at Varanasi Airport, Two Staffers Injured
Varanasi: A routine security check at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport turned tense on Sunday morning when a licensed pistol carried by a passenger accidentally went off, injuring two security personnel.
The passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, was travelling to Mumbai with his wife on Air India Express flight IX1810.
According to officials, Rai had a licensed 7.62 mm pistol along with 21 live cartridges. The weapon was being inspected as part of the mandatory airport security procedure when a round was accidentally discharged.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the passenger had been taken to the designated screening area for the required formalities. During the inspection, the firearm went off and the bullet ricocheted, hitting two screening staff members, identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari.
Both injured personnel were immediately attended to and taken to a private hospital for treatment. Police were also alerted shortly after the incident, and Rai was detained for questioning.
Police officials, including senior officers from the Gomti Zone and Pindra area, reached the airport and began examining the circumstances surrounding the firing.
According to police, Suman Kumari suffered an injury to her leg, while another security worker was struck on the thumb.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is investigating whether all prescribed procedures for carrying and handling licensed firearms at airports were followed. Authorities said further action would depend on the findings of the investigation.
Despite the incident, airport operations were not disrupted. Flight-tracking data showed that Air India Express flight IX1810 eventually departed for Mumbai, around 14 minutes later than its scheduled departure time.
The airport said the incident took place at around 9:30 am. In a statement, it said the passenger had declared the weapon before travelling and that the two AAICLAS screeners were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment.
Are firearms allowed on flights?
Yes, licensed firearms can be carried on flights in India, but only under strict conditions.
The weapon must be unloaded and securely packed in a locked, hard-sided container. Passengers are also required to declare the firearm at the airline check-in counter and present the necessary licence and documentation.
For domestic flights, passengers are generally permitted to carry one licensed revolver, pistol or shotgun and up to 50 cartridges in registered baggage, subject to the applicable rules.
Airlines also charge a separate handling fee for the transportation of firearms and ammunition. The domestic handling charge is around ₹5,000, excluding taxes, per firearm and up to 50 cartridges, according to the information provided by the airline/aviation authorities.
The Varanasi incident has now put the spotlight on the importance of careful handling procedures when declared firearms are brought into airport screening areas. The ongoing investigation will determine exactly how the accidental discharge occurred and whether established safety protocols were followed.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
