🔥 Trending Air India Express Passenger's Gun Fires at Varanasi Airport, Two Injured

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, an incident occurred at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi Airport) where a passenger's gun discharged during a weapons check, resulting in injuries to two airport staff members ¹²³.

Details of the Incident

The event unfolded around 9:30 AM on Sunday, August 16, 2026 ³. A passenger, who was traveling with his wife on Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai, was undergoing a routine weapons check when his firearm discharged ²⁵⁹.

Injuries Sustained

Two AAICLAS (Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company) screeners were injured during the incident ²³. Reports indicate that a man and a woman were among the injured staff members ⁵. The Hindu reported that two people were injured after the Air India Express passenger's gun went off ¹.

Location of the Incident

The firing took place within the terminal building during the pistol inspection ⁷.

Passenger Information

The passenger involved was carrying a licensed pistol ⁷. He was reportedly from Azamgarh ⁷.

Aftermath and Context

This incident highlights the importance of stringent security protocols at airports, especially concerning the handling and verification of firearms. While the specific details surrounding the cause of the discharge (e.g., accidental firing, mishandling) are still emerging, the immediate consequence was the injury of airport personnel ⁶¹⁰.

Varanasi Airport, also known as Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, is currently undergoing expansion, with a new terminal designed to handle approximately 60 lakh (6 million) passengers annually. The project also includes plans for runway extension, with completion targeted for 2027 ⁸. The airport is also notable for being India's first airport to make passenger announcements in Sanskrit ⁸.