Panic gripped Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning after a gun accidentally went off during the security screening of a passenger’s belongings, leaving four people injured, including a child and two airport security personnel.
The incident reportedly took place around 9:30 am when an Azamgarh-based passenger was preparing to board an Air India flight from Varanasi to Mumbai with his wife. As part of the routine security process, the passenger handed over his belongings for checking. During the inspection of his firearm and its documents, the weapon suddenly discharged one round.
According to preliminary information, a female airport employee suffered a gunshot injury to her thigh, while a male security staff member was injured in his hand. A woman passenger and a child were also reportedly injured in the incident.
All four injured people were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment. Doctors said their condition was stable.
Police were informed soon after the incident and an investigation has been launched to establish exactly how the firearm discharged inside the busy airport premises.
Varanasi airport director Puneet Gupta said the passenger had informed officials during the screening process that he was carrying a firearm. The weapon allegedly went off while its documents and other details were being checked. Gupta indicated that the discharge appeared to have been accidental.
The incident has raised serious questions over firearm-handling procedures and security protocols at airports, particularly during the screening of passengers carrying licensed weapons.
