Varanasi: Two airport security staff members were injured on Sunday morning after a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged during checking at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur, Varanasi.The incident occurred around 9:30 am when 55-year-old Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Ramgarh village under Jiyanpur police station in Azamgarh district, arrived at the airport with his wife, Sushma Rai, to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai.Rai had declared that he was carrying a licensed firearm. As per procedure, the pistol was being checked before being sealed and placed in the pilot’s cabin. During the process, the magazine was being removed when the trigger was allegedly pressed, causing the weapon to discharge.Suman Kumari, a resident of Manpur in Gaya district, Bihar, sustained a bullet injury to her leg, while Rohit Raj, a resident of Amber under Bihar Sharif police station in Nalanda district, suffered an injury to the thumb of his left hand. Both are employed as airport security assistants.The injured personnel were rushed to New Laxmi Hospital in Harhua for treatment. The incident caused panic inside the airport premises.Following the firing, ACP, Gomti Zone, ACP Pindra-Phulpur, SHO Rajiv Singh and a police team reached the airport. Officials inspected the spot, questioned airport security personnel and gathered details.The CISF detained the passenger and informed Phulpur police. The firearm has been seized, and security agencies have begun questioning Rai.Police are investigating how the weapon fired during checking and whether there was any lapse in security procedure. Order was maintained at the airport in the presence of police and security officials.Airport director Puneet Gupta said that 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. Both were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment. Local police have been informed, and an investigation is underway.
