‘He said it was unloaded’: 2 screeners recall Varanasi airport ‘accidental’ firing incident

VARANASI: Recalling the moment when a passenger’s pistol accidentally went off during security screening at Varanasi airport, two injured cargo screeners on Sunday described how the weapon was fired and left them injured.Rohit Raj, one of the injured screeners, said the passenger first removed the magazine and checked the pistol before pressing the trigger. The bullet grazed his left-hand finger, leaving it swollen."The passenger first removed the magazine and checked it. It was loaded. He then pressed the trigger downwards and the weapon fired. I sustained an injury near the last finger of my left hand and there is some swelling. I am currently at New Laxmi Hospital."The other injured screener, Suman Kumari, said the passenger told them the weapon was unloaded and pressed the trigger while showing it to them."The passenger said the weapon was unloaded and pressed the trigger to show us.