On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, a passenger scheduled for an Air India Express flight discharged a firearm during a routine security check at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, injuring two individuals. The unexpected incident prompted an immediate security alert and a swift response from airport authorities and law enforcement.

According to initial reports from airport officials, the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 AM IST during a secondary screening process for passengers at the domestic terminal. The individual, whose identity has not been officially released, was reportedly found to be carrying a weapon – described by sources as a licensed pistol – within their carry-on baggage. As security personnel, specifically from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), attempted to verify and secure the item as part of standard procedure, the weapon discharged.

The two individuals who sustained injuries were immediately attended to by medical staff present at the airport's first aid centre. They were later transferred to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Their conditions are reported as stable and non-life-threatening. One of the injured is confirmed to be a CISF constable, while the other is an airport ground staff member, both having been in proximity to the security checkpoint at the time of the incident.

Following the discharge, CISF personnel swiftly apprehended the passenger. The immediate area around the security checkpoint was temporarily cordoned off to ensure safety and facilitate initial investigation, though major flight operations largely continued with heightened vigilance in other areas of the terminal. No significant flight delays were reported as a direct result of the incident, but passenger movement near the affected zone was redirected to maintain operational flow.

This event raises significant questions regarding airport security protocols, particularly concerning the screening processes for passengers found to be carrying firearms. While existing regulations in India permit licensed firearm owners to travel with their weapons, subject to strict declaration and handling procedures, the incident underscores the critical importance of absolute adherence to safety protocols and comprehensive training for all security personnel involved in baggage and passenger screening. Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation to ascertain how the weapon came to be in a position where it could be discharged during a security check.

Key details surrounding the incident include:

  • Injured Individuals: A CISF constable and an airport ground staff member, both reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital.
  • Weapon Type: Identified by preliminary reports as a licensed pistol. The weapon has been secured as evidence.
  • Passenger Status: Apprehended by CISF immediately after the incident and currently under detention for questioning by local police.
  • Location: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • Investigation Scope: Includes a review of CCTV footage from the security checkpoint, interviews with eyewitnesses, involved personnel, and a forensic examination of the weapon and surrounding circumstances.

Local police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the apprehended passenger under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. A multi-agency inquiry, involving the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the CISF, and airport management, is underway. This inquiry aims to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the discharge, assess any procedural lapses on the part of security personnel or the passenger, and recommend robust measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident is expected to prompt a comprehensive review of firearm handling and screening protocols at airports nationwide to further enhance passenger safety and reinforce security infrastructure across Indian aviation hubs.