2 weeks ago
Passenger's pistol goes off during Varanasi Airport check, two injured
A man named Kamlesh was going to fly on an airplane with his wife.
He had a gun, but he was allowed to carry it because he has a special license.
Before boarding the plane, everyone with a gun must check it with airport security.
While the security workers were checking the gun, it accidentally fired.
The bullet bounced and hit two airport workers.
One worker got hurt on the leg, and another got hurt on the hand.
The workers were quickly helped and taken to a hospital.
The police kept the man so they could ask him questions.
Airport officials are trying to figure out exactly what happened.
The rest of the airport kept working normally.
A round was accidentally discharged from a passenger's licensed 7.62 mm pistol during a mandatory weapons check at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on August 16, 2026.
Two AAICLAS security screeners, Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, were injured — one in the leg and one on the hand/thumb.
The passenger, Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai of Azamgarh, was at the airport with his wife to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai.
Both injured personnel were taken to New Lakshmi Trauma Center in Varanasi for medical treatment.
The passenger has been detained and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is investigating the incident, while airport operations continued without disruption.
- Who
- Passenger Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, whose licensed pistol fired; injured AAICLAS screeners Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari.
- What
- A round was accidentally discharged from a passenger's 7.62 mm pistol during a mandatory weapons check, injuring two security screeners.
- Where
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, India.
- When
- Sunday morning, August 16, 2026, at around 9:30 am.
- Why
- The weapon discharged accidentally while being handled and inspected during the check; the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is examining the circumstances and adherence to prescribed procedures.
Key facts
- Airport
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi
- Date and time
- August 16, 2026, approximately 9:30 am
- Passenger
- Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, resident of Azamgarh
- Flight
- Air India Express IX-1810, Varanasi to Mumbai
- Weapon
- Licensed 7.62 mm pistol with 21 live cartridges
- Injured personnel
- AAICLAS screeners Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari
- Medical facility
- New Lakshmi Trauma Center, Varanasi
- Investigation
- Passenger detained; BCAS and local police investigating
Quotes
Puneet Gupta
Director of Varanasi Airport
“"Today, 16.08.2026, 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."”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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