Accidental Gunfire By Air India Express Passenger At Varanasi Airport Injures Two Staff Members

All authorities were alerted, as a passenger travelling to Mumbai, during a security check, fired a bullet at the Varanasi airport, injuring two cargo logistics screeners.

A passenger identified as Kamlesh Rai- a resident of Azamgarh district- arrived at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport with his wife to go to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX1810, according to a statement issued by DCP Gomti Zone.

The director of the Varanasi airport, in a statement confirmed that the passenger, travelling with his wife on an Air India Express flight to Mumbai, had declared weapons on board the flight. The director added, that the shot was fired during the weapons check, which injured two AAICLAS screeners. He confirmed that both the injured victims were taken to the New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment, while the local cops were also informed.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is examining the circumstances leading to the incident, including adherence to prescribed procedures for handling and carriage of licensed weapons at airports, the ministry said in a statement.

He was carrying a licensed pistol. According to sources, during the security check, an accidental firing occurred when the weapon and its ammunition were being inspected, police said. The licensed pistol of a passenger at the Varanasi airport went off during security screening, leaving a female staff and another person injured. A female security personnel was hit on the leg and a male staff member standing nearby was hit on the thumb, injuring both of them, the statement said.

Upon receiving information about the incident, senior police officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Pindra) and other police officials, arrived at the spot.

Police said the site is being inspected, and necessary details are being gathered. Appropriate legal action is being taken in the matter, police said in the statement.

(With agency inputs)_