{
  "id": 1217809,
  "title": "Pistol goes off at Varanasi Airport during security check, 2 injured",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/pistol-goes-off-at-varanasi-airport-during-security-check-2-injured",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T06:32:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/pistol-goes-off-at-varanasi-airport-during-security-check-2-injured-10835474/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A licensed pistol discharged accidentally while a passenger was undergoing a security check at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning, resulting in two injuries, officials reported. The incident occurred around 9:30 am when Air India Express flight IX-1810 passenger Kamlesh Rai, who was en route to Mumbai from Azamgarh, arrived with his wife. Rai had previously declared his licensed weapon for transportation on the flight, according to sources. During the examination of the firearm and tally of rounds, an unintended discharge occurred, causing injury to two Air India Customs and Law Enforcement Screener (AAICLAS) personnel. The bullet struck one screener in the leg and another individual in the thumb who was standing nearby. Both injured persons were transported to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for medical attention. The local police were promptly notified, and an investigation is currently underway. Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Gomti Zone and the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Pindra, arrived at the scene to inspect the area and take necessary legal action.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Licensed pistol discharged accidentally at Varanasi Airport security check",
    "Two Air India Customs and Law Enforcement Screener personnel injured",
    "Investigation underway, senior police officials on scene"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Air India Express passenger's gun goes off at Varanasi airport, two injured",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/air-india-express-passengers-gun-goes-off-at-varanasi-airport-two",
        "published": "2026-08-16T06:20:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Two injured after Air India Express passenger’s gun goes off at Varanasi airport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/two-injured-after-air-india-express-passengers-gun-goes-off-at",
        "published": "2026-08-16T06:59:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Passenger discharges weapon at Varanasi airport, injures two",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/passenger-discharges-weapon-at-varanasi-airport-injures-two",
        "published": "2026-08-16T07:03:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Air India Passenger’s Licensed Pistol Accidentally Fires During Security Check, Injures Two Staffers At Varanasi Airport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/air-india-passengers-licensed-pistol-accidentally-fires-during",
        "published": "2026-08-16T07:28:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Air India Express Flyer 'Accidentally' Fires At Varanasi Airport, 2 Injured",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/air-india-express-flyer-accidentally-fires-at-varanasi-airport-2",
        "published": "2026-08-16T07:55:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}