A licensed pistol went off accidentally during mandatory security checks at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Jattvibeday morning, injuring two security screeners and triggering a probe into the handling of firearms at the airport.The incident occurred around 9.30 am when a passenger, identified as Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, arrived with his wife to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai.Rai had declared his licensed 7.62-mm pistol and 21 live cartridges for carriage as required under the prescribed procedure, officials said.The passenger was escorted to the designated screening area, where the firearm and ammunition were being checked. During the inspection and counting of the rounds, one round was accidentally discharged, officials said.The projectile ricocheted and struck two screening personnel identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari. One sustained an injury to the leg, while the other was hit on the thumb.”Both personnel were immediately provided assistance and shifted to New Lakshmi Trauma Centre, Varanasi,” said the officials.The firing prompted immediate police intervention, with the passenger being detained for questioning and further action under law.The incident has also put the airport’s prescribed procedures for handling and screening licensed firearms under scrutiny.The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is examining the circumstances leading to the discharge, including whether all prescribed procedures for the handling and carriage of licensed weapons were followed during the screening process.The Ministry of Civil Aviation said appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.The incident was brought under control promptly and airport operations continued without disruption, the ministry said.