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Pistol goes off at Varanasi Airport during security check, 2 injured
During the inspection of the firearm and counting of the rounds, one round accidentally went off, sources said. The firing injured two AAICLAS screeners.
The MMRDA said it had received a complaint about an existing structure/mosque near the VVIP arrival and taxi stand at T2. (File photo/X)
Two security officials were injured after a round was accidentally fired from a licensed pistol during the checking of a passenger’s weapon at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning, officials said.
The incident took place around 9:30 am when a passenger travelling to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX-1810 arrived at the airport with his wife. The passenger, identified as Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, had declared the licensed weapon for carriage on the flight, sources said.
During the inspection of the firearm and counting of the rounds, one round accidentally went off, sources said. The firing injured two AAICLAS screeners.
The bullet hit one screener in the leg and another person standing nearby in the thumb. Both injured persons were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Puneet Gupta, Director of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, said, “The incident took place during regular screening at the airport on Sunday morning. Two high-class screeners, a man and a woman, were injured during verification of the weapon being carried by an Air India passenger, who was travelling with his wife to Mumbai. The weapon somehow fired during screening. Both officials are being given treatment, and they are not critical. We have handed over the investigation to the local police.”
The local police were informed following the incident, and an investigation is underway.
Varanasi police have detained Rai for questioning.
The injured were identified as Suman Kumari and Rohit Raj. Doctors later declared their condition stable after providing treatment.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, Prashant Singh said multiple agencies were conducting an inquiry into the incident.
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Station House Officer, Phoolpur police station, Rajeev Singh said Rai was completing the formalities required to carry his licensed pistol while travelling when the weapon suddenly went off.
ACP Singh said the gun was in Rai’s possession at the time.
Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gomti Zone, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Pindra, reached the airport and inspected the spot.
Police said necessary legal action is being taken in the matter.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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