By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Panic gripped Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday morning after a licensed pistol carried by a passenger travelling on an Air India Express flight accidentally went off during a mandatory weapons check, injuring two security screeners.
The incident took place at around 9:30 am when passenger Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, was undergoing inspection of his firearm before boarding Air India Express flight IX 1810 to Mumbai. Rai was travelling with his wife.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rai had declared his licensed 7.62 mm pistol and 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter, as required under the prescribed procedure. He was subsequently taken to the designated area for screening of the weapon and ammunition.
During the inspection, the firearm accidentally discharged a round. The bullet reportedly struck a surface and ricocheted, injuring two personnel involved in the screening process. DCP Gomti Zone Neetu Kadyan also said the firing accidently took place.
The injured were identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, both screening personnel. The female screener suffered an injury to her foot, while the male screener sustained an injury to his thumb. They were immediately taken to a trauma centre for medical treatment and were reported to be out of danger.
Police were informed immediately following the incident and the passenger was detained for questioning and further legal action. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has also begun examining the circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge, including whether all prescribed procedures for handling and carrying the licensed firearm were followed.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the incident was brought under control promptly and airport operations continued without disruption.
The incident has raised questions about the handling of declared firearms during airport security procedures. Although passengers with eligible licensed firearms can carry them subject to prescribed rules and declarations, weapons must undergo mandatory security checks and handling procedures.
Authorities are now investigating how the weapon discharged during the inspection and whether there was any lapse in the prescribed safety protocol. Further action will be taken on the basis of the investigation findings.