Varanasi airport firing: Passenger's pistol goes off during screening, two staff hurt

A licensed firearm carried by a passenger discharged accidentally during security checks at Varanasi airport on Sunday morning, injuring two screening staff, officials said. The passenger, who was booked on an Air India Express flight to Mumbai, has been detained as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

An injured cargo screener said the passenger initially removed the magazine from his licensed pistol and checked the weapon before pressing the trigger, which caused it to fire, according to PTI. Another screener said the passenger had claimed the gun was unloaded and pulled the trigger while demonstrating it to the staff.

The two personnel were injured in the incident, with one sustaining an injury and swelling near the little finger of his left hand, while the other was hit in both legs, including the thigh. They were taken to the New Lakshmi Trauma Centre for medical treatment.

While recalling the accidental firing of a passenger's pistol during screening at Varanasi airport, injured cargo screener Rohit Raj said, "The passenger first removed the magazine and checked it. It was loaded. He then pressed the trigger downwards and the weapon fired. I sustained an injury near the last finger of my left hand and there is some swelling. I am currently at New Laxmi Hospital."

The other injured screener Suman Kumari mentioned, "The passenger said the weapon was unloaded and pressed the trigger to show us. The shot was fired while he was showing it to us. The bullet hit me in both legs, including the thigh."

According to the ministry, the incident took place around 9.30 am at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. The passenger declared a licensed 7.62 mm pistol along with 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter as required. He was then escorted to the designated screening area to undergo the mandatory security checks.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the weapon discharged a round while it was being handled and inspected, with the projectile reportedly ricocheting and injuring two screening staff, Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari.