Air India Express passenger's gun goes off at Varanasi airport, two staffers shot

An Air India Express passenger's pistol went off during a weapons check at Varanasi airport on Sunday, injuring two staffers: a woman and man. The bullet first hit the ground before striking the staffers, who were taken to a private hospital.

In Short

• Bullet hit ground, then struck airport staff
• Passenger declared pistol before boarding
• Police were informed, investigation ongoing

Two people were injured after a gun carried by an Air India Express passenger went off during a weapons check at Varanasi airport on Sunday.

The passenger, from Azamgarh, was travelling with his wife to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX-1810. He had a pistol and a magazine with him and had declared the weapons before boarding.

According to Varanasi Airport Director Puneet Gupta, the weapon and its documents were being checked when the gun went off. He said both the weapon owner and airport staff were present during the verification of the weapon and its documents.

The bullet first hit the ground before striking the two staff members standing nearby. A woman sustained a gunshot injury to her thigh, while a male staff member was injured in the hand.

According to the Varanasi Airport Director, the incident took place at around 9:30 am on August 16, 2026, when the passenger fired a round during the weapons check, injuring two AAICLAS screeners.

“Today at about 0930 hrs, a passenger travelling with his wife on flight IX-1810 to Mumbai declared weapons on board the flight. During the weapons check, the passenger fired a round, injuring two AAICLAS screeners. Both were taken to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment. Local police have been informed, and an investigation is underway,” the Varanasi Airport Director said, according to the news agency ANI.

Both injured staff members are in stable condition and are undergoing treatment, Gupta said.

Local police have been informed, and an investigation is underway, the airport director said, according to ANI.

- Ends