Gun Goes Off on Air India Express Flight, Passenger Claims Weapon Was Unloaded
· India · NDTV, Hindustan Times, News18
A passenger travelling on Air India Express flight IX1810 from Varanasi to Mumbai accidentally discharged his licensed 7.62 mm pistol mid-air after claiming to airport staff that the weapon was unloaded. The passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, was carrying the firearm along with 21 live cartridges in his baggage. Airport security staff at Varanasi airport had inspected the weapon and documented it before boarding. The discharge occurred during the flight, prompting security concerns and an immediate investigation upon landing. Authorities have not yet specified the exact circumstances under which the weapon fired inside the cabin.
Why it matters
This incident raises serious aviation security questions regarding how a loaded firearm passed pre-flight checks and the protocols for transporting licensed weapons on commercial flights, directly affecting passenger safety standards for airlines operating in India.
Read the original report — NDTV
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