VARANASI, Aug 16: Two airport employees were injured after a licensed pistol accidentally went off during a security check at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport here on Sunday morning, prompting security agencies to detain and question the passenger carrying the weapon.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred around 9:30 am when a passenger travelling with his wife on Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai arrived for the scheduled journey. The passenger, identified as 55-year-old Kamlesh Rai of Azamgarh, had declared the licensed firearm for carriage on the flight.<\/p>\n
According to the airport authorities, the weapon was being processed for sealing and depositing for safekeeping inside the aircraft cockpit when the firearm discharged a round.<\/p>\n
Rai was reportedly removing the pistol\u2019s magazine as part of the procedure when the trigger was pressed, resulting in the accidental firing. A female airport employee sustained a bullet graze on her leg, while another male employee was also grazed by the round.<\/p>\n
Both injured employees, identified as AAICLAS screeners, were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, 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,\u201d the Varanasi Airport Director said, according to news agency.<\/p>\n
Local police were informed and an investigation was launched to establish the circumstances leading to the accidental discharge.<\/p>\n
Security agencies detained Rai and began questioning him following the incident. The firearm and related procedures are also being examined as part of the investigation. (Agencies)<\/p>\n