Varanasi: There was panic at the Varanasi airport on Sunday morning after a passenger travelling with his wife on an Air India Express flight to Mumbai fired a round during a weapon check.
Two security screeners were injured in the incident. The man has been detained and an investigation has been launched, both by airport authorities and the police.
According to officials, the incident took place around 9.30 am when the passenger, booked on flight IX-1810, declared that he was carrying weapons in his luggage.
During the weapons check, the passenger fired a round, injuring two AAICLAS screeners. Both were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment, as reported by The Times of India.
Passengers can carry their licenced firearms in booked luggage, but they have to be declared during screening. The weapons have to be brought out and it has to be ascertained that they match with the documents.
At the same time, the passenger has to show that the weapons are unloaded.
“All details are still not available. The passenger claims that it was an accident. However, it is to be ascertained why he was carrying a loaded firearm when he knew the rules,” an official said.
According to norms, when a weapon is being checked to find out if it is loaded, the muzzle has to point towards the ground to prevent an accidental discharge.
“It is possible that he removed the magazine but a round remained in the chamber. It went off when he pressed the trigger to show that the weapon is unloaded. The injuries may also have happened after the bullet ricocheted after hitting the ground. All aspects are being checked,” an official said.
The weapon has been seized. Samples have been collected from the spot and airport staff present during the incident are being questioned. CCTV footage is also being screened to know the actual sequence of events.
Such an incident taking place barely a day after Independence Day has shaken authorities with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) going on full alert.
