LUCKNOW: Two security screeners were injured after a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged during a weapons check at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning.The passenger, identified as 55-year-old Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, had arrived at the airport with his wife to travel to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX-1810. He was carrying a licensed pistol, which he declared before the flight.Speaking to TOI, Varanasi Airport director Puneet Gupta said the incident occurred at around 9.30 am. During the inspection of the firearm, one round was accidentally fired by the passenger, injuring two AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS) screeners.Both injured personnel were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment.The Station House Officer of Phoolpur said the bullet first struck a hard surface before a fragment or ricochet hit the personnel. He confirmed that two employees were injured and that the firearm was discharged by the passenger.Police said the weapon was licensed. Local police were informed about the incident and an investigation is underway to establish the exact circumstances leading to the accidental discharge.The two AAICLAS screeners who sustained bullet injuries in the incident includes a woman staff member, who sustained hit in the thigh, while a male staff member also suffered a bullet injury.Further details about the condition of the injured screeners were not immediately available.
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