Two security screeners were injured at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning after a round was discharged during a mandatory inspection of a passenger’s licensed firearm, airport authorities said.
The incident took place at around 9:30 am before Air India Express flight IX-1810, which was scheduled to fly to Mumbai. Varanasi Airport Director confirmed the incident and said, “Today, 16.08.2026, at about 0930 hrs, a passenger travelling with his wife on flight IX-1810 to Mumbai declared weapons on board the flight. Local police and aviation security officials have launched a joint investigation into the incident at Babatpur airport.
The passenger from Azamgarh, who was travelling with his wife, had declared that he was carrying a licensed firearm in accordance with aviation guidelines. During the weapons check, the passenger fired a round, injuring two AAICLAS screeners… Local police have been informed and an investigation is underway. They are examining how the firearm was handled during the inspection to determine whether the discharge was accidental or deliberate and whether standard procedures for carrying firearms on flights were followed.
The identity of the passenger and the model of the firearm have not been disclosed as the investigation continues.
