New Delhi, Aug. 16 -- Normal flight operations continued without disruption at Varanasi airport after security screening personnel were injured in an accidental weapon misfire, prompting the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to launch a formal inquiry to examine safety procedures and protocol adherence, a press release stated.

According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, at approximately 9:30 am on Sunday, a passenger, namely Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, scheduled to travel from Varanasi to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX 1810, declared a licensed firearm (7.62 mm pistol with 21 live cartridges) at the check-in counter, as required under the prescribed procedure.

The passenger was escorted to the designated screening area for comple...