Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Pistol accidentally fires at Varanasi airport, injuring two security officials
A man and his wife went to an airport to catch a plane.
The man had a gun that he is allowed to carry, but the rules say he must tell the airport workers about it.
He told the workers, and they took him to a special room to check the gun.
The workers had to make sure the gun was empty and safe.
While they were checking it, the gun fired by accident.
The bullet bounced off something and hurt two airport workers.
The hurt workers were taken to a hospital to get help.
The man was kept by the police so they could ask him questions.
The airport stayed open, and flights kept going.
People who bring guns to the airport must keep them empty and store the bullets separately.
Two security officials were injured at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday after a bullet was fired from a passenger's licensed 7.62 mm pistol during a mandatory security inspection.
The incident occurred around 9:30 am when Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai of Azamgarh, travelling with his wife, arrived to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai.
Rai had declared the pistol and 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter, and the weapon discharged during handling and inspection, with the projectile ricocheting.
Injured screening personnel Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari were treated at New Lakshmi Trauma Centre; Suman Kumari said the passenger pulled the trigger to show the gun was unloaded.
The passenger was detained, a case was registered under Section 125 of the BNS, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is examining whether procedures were followed, and airport operations continued without disruption.
- Who
- Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, a passenger from Azamgarh travelling with his wife, and screening personnel Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, who were injured.
- What
- A bullet was fired from a passenger's licensed 7.62 mm pistol during a mandatory security inspection, ricocheting and injuring two security officials.
- When
- Sunday, at around 9:30 am.
- Where
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.
- Why
- The weapon discharged while the passenger handled it during screening — screeners said he pulled the trigger to demonstrate the gun was unloaded.
Official account: accidental discharge
Screener accounts: passenger pulled the trigger
Cause of the firing
Official account: accidental discharge
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said a round was 'accidentally discharged' during the handling and inspection of the weapon at the designated screening area.
Screener accounts: passenger pulled the trigger
Injured screeners told PTI that the passenger himself pulled the trigger — Suman Kumari said he did so 'to show that it was unloaded,' while Rohit Raj said he pressed the trigger pointing downwards, perhaps thinking it would not fire or out of anger or frustration.
Compliance with firearm handling rules
Official account: accidental discharge
The passenger followed the prescribed procedure by declaring the licensed firearm and ammunition at the check-in counter, and officials said the incident was promptly contained.
Screener accounts: passenger pulled the trigger
Screeners' accounts indicate the weapon was loaded when fired — Rohit Raj said they saw the bullet and told the passenger to remove the cartridges, and that he fired downward — even though aviation rules require firearms to be unloaded and stored separately from ammunition.
- Airport
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi
- Time of incident
- Around 9:30 am on Sunday
- Passenger
- Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, resident of Azamgarh
- Weapon
- 7.62 mm licensed pistol with 21 live cartridges
- Injured officials
- Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari (screening personnel)
- Flight
- Air India Express IX-1810 to Mumbai
- Hospital
- New Lakshmi Trauma Centre, Varanasi
- Investigating body
- Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
- Legal action
- Case registered under Section 125 of the BNS at Phulpur police station
Sources
2 security officials injured at Varanasi airport as pistol gets accidentally fired
Passenger’s pistol ‘accidentally’ goes off during screening at Varanasi airport; 2 injured
'Flier Said Gun Not Loaded,' Recalls Varanasi Airport Staff. Then It Went Off
