LUCKNOW, Sept. 3 -- An Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Delhi made a precautionary landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on Thursday morning after a smoke detection alarm went off in its aft cargo compartment, prompting an emergency response. All 155 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, while preliminary checks found no smoke or fire, airport officials said.

Flight IX 1253 took off from Varanasi around 8 am. Shortly after take-off, the alarm was activated, following which the pilot contacted Lucknow air traffic control (ATC) and sought permission to land. The aircraft landed safely at 8:52 am.

The airport's emergency response team, fire brigade personnel and technical experts inspected...