BCAS Probes Varanasi Airport Weapon Discharge That Wounded Two

Varanasi's deputy commissioner of police for the Gomti zone, Neetu Kadyan, said police received the alert at 10 am. "Acting promptly on this information, Phulpur police and officials inspected the scene," she said. Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, had declared the pistol, which holds an all-India permit, before the flight, Kadyan said. The round "accidentally discharged from the chamber" during the standard pre-boarding security check carried out by CISF and airline staff, injuring two ground staff members, she said.

The BCAS inquiry is examining whether the prescribed procedures for handling and carriage of licensed weapons at airports were followed, the ministry said. "Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," the press release added. The ministry did not identify which staff member was handling the weapon when it discharged, nor did it describe what caused the round to fire. No timeline for the review has been given, and the ministry has not said whether the outcome could extend to changes in the handling procedure itself.

Kadyan said both injured personnel were in stable condition. A police field unit had inspected the scene, and Phulpur police are taking further legal action.